Statement by H. E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Kuwait... Thursday, 21 May 2009 16:03 Special News
Statement by His Excellency Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, while announcing the opening on 27 May 2009 of two new Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres in Kuwait Dear Friends, The increase in the number of Kuwaiti and other citizens traveling to India as the result of our expanding bilateral ties and interaction, as well as the growing numbers of the Indian community in Kuwait, have made it imperative that there be a strengthened consular services response from the Embassy of India in Kuwait. When we took over the present Indian Embassy premises in 1992, the Indian community in Kuwait numbered about 120,000. Since then it has grown to 579,000. This has resulted in considerable pressure on services and space, requiring a matching enhancement in the consular services being offered by this Embassy. To address such concerns, I am pleased to inform that two Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres will be opened in Kuwait, with effect from 27th May 2009, with the aim of providing a faster and more efficient passport and visa service to all. These Centers would be located at Sharq and Fahaheel. I may add that one of the important concerns raised by members of the Indian community here, especially project and household workers, related to the submission and collection of passports during their working hours, which meant taking half a day's leave and even resulted in loss of half a day's wages in some instances. To address this aspect, the timings of submission and delivery of travel documents have been extended. Thus, the two Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres will be open from 0800 hours to 1200 hours in the morning and 1600 to 2000 hrs in the evening from Sunday through to Thursday. In addition, the service centres would also be kept open on Saturdays from 1600 to 2000 hrs. They will only be closed on Fridays and major public holidays. Again, responding to a voiced public need, both Service Centres are located at venues that are regularly served by bus and other public transport. Moreover, there is considerable free parking space available in their vicinity. These Service Centres will have facilitation facilities viz. free distribution of passport and visa application forms; filling of forms; facilities for photocopying, etc. A website http://www.bls-international.com will be made functional from Sunday, 24 May 2009, and will provide details of all passport and visa services available at both Service Centres. To address inevitable teething issues, a consular representative of the Embassy of India, Kuwait, will initially be available at both locations in case of need for any clarification by applicants. Before concluding, I would like to point out that applications for visas on Diplomatic/Official/Special passports as well as for issue of PIO/OCI cards and Emergency Certificates will continue to be accepted directly at the Embassy of India, Kuwait. Affidavit/Attestation services will also continue to be provided at Embassy of India, Kuwait. I would request the representatives of the media to give full publicity to the opening, with effect from 27th May 2009, of the two Indian Passport and Visa Service Centres in Kuwait, so that prospective applicants get to know about this change in a timely manner. Thank you. http://www.kuwaitsamachar.com/
