The office would also benefit Muslims preparing to perform hajj
By Dr Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Opening of a passport office at Imphal is a dream comes true for the people of the state, said Chief Minister O Ibobi while inaugurating the office of Passport Seva Kendra here.
The function, organised by the Union Ministry of External Affairs on March 31, was attended by Gaikhangam, deputy chief minister; Thangso Baite, Lok Sabha MP; Haji Abdul Salam, Rajya Sabha MP; P C Lawmkunga, chief secretary; Mukesh K Pardeshi, joint secretary of Ministry of External Affairs, and Ajungla Jamir, Guwahati Regional Passport officer.
The main function was organised at Hotel Imphal after the Chief Minister inaugurated the passport office at Old State Assembly Complex.
Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister urged the Central government to open visa offices at Tulihal Airport and Moreh town. “Such an arrangement will help in enhancing tourism sector in the state.
Issuing visa on arrival at Moreh would attract many tourists from South East Asian countries,” he added.
He also urged the Centre to further develop the Tulihal Airport, which has already been declared as an international airport.
In his keynote address, Mukesh Pardeshi said, with the opening of the Passport Seva Kendra at Imphal, people of the state would not require visiting Guwahati to prepare passports.
Manipur State Hajj Committee has lauded the state and the Central government for opening the Passport Office.
Addressing a press-conference held at Hajj Committee office the same day, Mohammed Amin Shah, chairperson of Hajj Committee and Parliamentary Secretary, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and the state government for taking the initiative of opening the Passport Office.
“The office would benefit the people of the state. It would also be very helpful to the Muslims who are preparing to perform hajj,” he added.
Shah informed that 700 Muslims applied for passport this year, out of which
500 have received their passports. So far 137 persons have got the approval for performing hajj, while the rest are in the waiting list, he added.
Haji Abdul Salam, Rajya Sabha MP, said opening of the Passport Kendra comes as a great relief for the Muslims in the state who wish to perform hajj. From now they do not need to get into the hurdles of going to Guwahati to get their passports, he added.
Fajur Rahim, MLA, and Mohammad Salauddin Khan, executive officer of State Hajj Committee, also attended the press-conference.