Indian Passport Charges to Increase in India
In a move that has come as a shock to many Indian citizens, the government recently announced a significant increase in the fees for obtaining or renewing an Indian passport. The new charges are set to take effect from next month, and many are calling it a heavy burden on the common man.
The current cost of a 36-page passport for an adult is ₹1,500, while a 60-page passport costs ₹2,000. However, with the new changes, the fee for a 36-page passport will increase to ₹2,000 and a 60-page passport will cost ₹3,000. This means that there will be a 33% increase in the cost of a 36-page passport and a significant 50% increase in the cost of a 60-page passport.
This decision has not gone down well with the general public, especially at a time when the country is still reeling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have taken to social media to express their outrage, with some calling the increase in passport fees “unjustified” and “unreasonable.”
“I cannot believe that they are increasing the passport fees at a time like this. It’s completely unfair to expect the common man to shell out more money for something as basic as a passport,” said Ramesh Kumar, a resident of New Delhi.
The government, however, has defended its decision, citing the need for additional revenue to cover the costs of issuing passports and providing consular services to Indian citizens abroad. They argue that the increase in fees is necessary to ensure that the Passport Seva Kendras across the country can continue to operate efficiently and meet the growing demand for passport services.
“We understand that this decision may not be popular with everyone, but we have a responsibility to ensure that our passport services are adequately funded and able to provide the level of service that our citizens expect and deserve,” said a government spokesperson.
While the increase in passport fees may be a cause for concern for many, some experts believe that it may also serve as a deterrent for individuals who apply for passports unnecessarily or as a backup document. They argue that the higher fees may discourage people from obtaining multiple passports, which could help streamline the passport issuance process and reduce the burden on government resources.
“By increasing the fees for passports, the government may be able to weed out individuals who apply for passports as a precautionary measure or as a status symbol. This could help reduce the backlog of passport applications and improve the overall efficiency of the passport issuance system,” said Anjali Sharma, a public policy expert.
Despite the rationale behind the decision, many are calling on the government to reconsider the increase in passport fees, especially in light of the current economic challenges facing the country. They argue that the government should explore alternative ways to generate revenue for passport services without burdening the common man with higher fees.
“I understand that the government needs to raise revenue, but there are other ways to do it without increasing the fees for essential services like passports. This will only add to the financial strain on the common man, who is already struggling to make ends meet,” said Sneha Patel, a resident of Mumbai.
As the debate over the increase in passport fees continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider its decision or stick to its guns. In the meantime, Indian citizens are left to deal with the prospect of paying more for a basic document that is essential for travel and identification.
