Empost to restrict Indian Passport Service Centers across UAE

Initially 15 dedicated centers were opened across the country, following the outsourcing of the collection and delivery services of passport and visa applications by the Indian missions to the federal government courier company in February.

Among these, 8 were attached to Indian associations and social and cultural clubs in various emirates, while the rest have been functioning in buildings owned or rented by Empost.

Among these, six associations with the centers revealed that they received the Empost notice, stating that it does not intend to renew the one-year agreement with the associations when it expires on 31st August.

The Letter from the Empost CEO, Sultan Al Midfa, asked the associations to claim their share of service charges up to 31st August before the 7th of September.

Officials from the association have protested against the move, stating that it is against the interests of thousands of Indians, who have been availing the services through their offices.

The Ras Al Khaimah Indian Association General Secretary, AMM Noorudheen said “The associations had signed up the contract on the advise of the Indian Consulate, which is now acting against the welfare of Indian nationals by giving silent consent to this.”

The Consul General of India, Venu Rajamony, said that he has asked Empost for explanation, as notices were sent without the knowledge of the Consulate.

The consulate had facilitated the agreement between the associations and Empost, and therefore the issue has to be resolved by them. The Consulate intends to solve the issue by supporting discussions, and will ensure that the services run smooth, he said.

He also pointed out that only 25 percent of the applications have been processed through the centers attached to associations, while the rest are coming through Empost centers.

Meanwhile, one of the applicants, when contacted by the media, mentioned that the services through the associations are useful for several people, particularly the less educated and lower income group, and therefore it would be good to retain the current facilities.

Sultan Al Midfa said that the decision is yet to be finalized. There is still time for renewal, and retaining few of the centers with associations would be considered.

The services were outsourced to avoid huge crowd of applicants that gathered in the premises of the Indian missions. Although the agreement was signed last year, the centers got operational only in February. The latest center to be opened was the one in the premises of Indian Association Sharjah.

Posted on 8/8/2009

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