Senior citizens and kids to get fees relaxation for passport application

New Delhi: People above 60 years of age and children below eight years applying for passports will get 10 per cent relaxation in passport fees, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here today. Addressing a function, organised to mark completion of 50 years of enacting of the Passport Act, which was enforced from 1967, Ms Swaraj said the passports will be printed in English and Hindi also.

She further said that henceforth, passport applicants can give self-certification about "non involvement in any act of crime" and submit Adhar or Ration card and can get passports as early as possible. "The police verification can come later," she added. The Minister also said the government will ensure that henceforth, no passport applicant has to travel more than 50 km to get his or her passport as the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) will be opened across the country. So far, 251 POPSKs have been opened up already. (UNI)