The External Affairs Ministry is all set to issue electronic Passports soon in the country. Chief Passport Officer, Muktesh K Pardeshi told this at a press conference in Hyderabad today. He said the new e-passports will have an electronic chip containing personal information of the passport holder like finger prints and biometrics to comply strict protection measures. Stating that the e-passports will help curtailing fake passports, he said India Security Press in Nasik has already procured necessary equipment for implementing the project. He said the security clearance from the Home ministry is awaited for the new proposal. He said tenders have already called for supplying the e-chips.
Stating that setting up the Passport Seva Kendras at 77 places across the country has fasten the process of applications, the Official said about 80 lakh passports are expected to be issued during the present year while 74 lakh last year.