I realized two things about Governments & me - one, I am not capable of understanding how Government works, the way that they do, and two, why common sense and logic have no place in any Government office.
So here are some learnings that I'd like to pass on to others:
1. RTI is simple & easy, its' a tool you should wield at the slightest doubt.
2. When the passport status stays as Passport application is under review at Regional Passport Office for 15 days or more, then the best course of action is to file an RTI, demanding explanation for this delay. Usually, you'll get a reply within 30 days with clear details on what went wrong.
3. Trust Murphy's Law to work 100% during Police Verification stage. Leave NOTHING to logic, common sense or make any assumptions.
4. By "Locality" (for references) in passport application the Government of India means the same building, at-least for Mumbai. For other cities, please draw a parallel to that, typically someone who can hear you if you shout - they are looking for trouble-makers, remember.
5. To counter the "No-bribe policy" enforced at passport office, they have collectively adopted a "Give-pain policy". To beat that, Talk! Folks are helpful, so talk to people until you find a good Samaritan who'll give you good advice.
I sincerely hope that no-one has to step into the Passport office for the kind of reason I went through, however if you do, please don't have any other plans for that day, as it'll leave you tired physically and "devastated" mentally at the sheer lack of reason that Government departments operate with.
Good Luck.
So here are some learnings that I'd like to pass on to others:
1. RTI is simple & easy, its' a tool you should wield at the slightest doubt.
2. When the passport status stays as Passport application is under review at Regional Passport Office for 15 days or more, then the best course of action is to file an RTI, demanding explanation for this delay. Usually, you'll get a reply within 30 days with clear details on what went wrong.
3. Trust Murphy's Law to work 100% during Police Verification stage. Leave NOTHING to logic, common sense or make any assumptions.
4. By "Locality" (for references) in passport application the Government of India means the same building, at-least for Mumbai. For other cities, please draw a parallel to that, typically someone who can hear you if you shout - they are looking for trouble-makers, remember.
5. To counter the "No-bribe policy" enforced at passport office, they have collectively adopted a "Give-pain policy". To beat that, Talk! Folks are helpful, so talk to people until you find a good Samaritan who'll give you good advice.
I sincerely hope that no-one has to step into the Passport office for the kind of reason I went through, however if you do, please don't have any other plans for that day, as it'll leave you tired physically and "devastated" mentally at the sheer lack of reason that Government departments operate with.
Good Luck.
