KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 20

The Department of Passports has issued a total of 933,293 e-passports over a period of one year. Issuance of e-passports was launched on November 17 last year.

In a press release issued to mark the completion of the first year of launching e-passports, the DoP informed that the provision for online revenue payment has been implemented to provide services to customers in an effective and hassle-free manner.

The DoP has been issuing e-passports through all 77 district administration offices, 19 area administrative offices, and 38 Nepali diplomatic missions abroad. 'Nepal e-passport mobile app has been developed to further systematize service delivery and fix the software in a bid to make the online system customer-friendly.'

As per the DoP, it has focused on delivering prompt and quality services by adopting a simple, reliable, transparent, and customer-oriented application process throughout the year.

Quality System Manuals and Standard Operating Procedures, including various types of simplified forms, have been developed for the same.

Telephone, email, and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have been used to facilitate and serve clients.

'The DoP has requested the Central Investigation Bureau and Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police to initiate legal action against persons involved in posting misleading information about e-passports and authorities concerned on social media,' the release said.

The DoP also informed that it had been working in collaboration with Nepal Police to crack down on the intermediaries who fleece the service-seekers on various pretexts.

According to the DoP, the Citizens' Charter and Service Flow Chart have been effectively implemented, while also addressing the problems and grievances through the Grievance Management Unit formed under the DoP director general.

Emphasis has been given to enhancing the continuous improvement of services in compliance with the international rules and regulations set by the ICAO and other relevant bodies.

The department has arranged online payment through Revenue Management Information System and introduced Connect IPS for payment related to passport services,' it reads.

The DoP is the sole governing body for receiving ISO accreditation from the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Meteorology.

Earlier, the DoP had said that it adopted a zero-tolerance policy in cases of corruption, bribery, fraud, and other immoral acts or conduct. Regular orientations and training have been provided to staffers in a bid to enhance efficiency, positivity, and productivity in service delivery.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 21, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.