First all-woman Post Office Passport Seva Kendra starts operations

In a first, a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) run by an all-woman team started operations in Phagwara on Monday.

The Seva Kendra was inaugurated by Union Minister Vijay Sampla in the local head Post Office.

It is the 192nd POPSK in the country, but the first one to be operated by an all-woman team.

"It was part of the Centre's initiative for women empowerment," Sampla said.

According to Jalandhar regional Passport Officer Harmanbir Singh Gill, the Phagwara Kendra will be headed by department's Verification Officer Madhuri Bhavi. The other two women staff members - Postal Assistants - will be from the Post Office Department.

The printing and issuing of passports will be done by Jalandhar office.

At present, 50 applications will be received and processed here daily, Gill said, adding the number will be increased to 100 in the future.

Sampla said that this Kendra will cater to the needs of Kapurthala, Nawandhar and Jalandhar rural districts.

"Phagwara POPSK will benefit people immensely as the town was an NRI hub of Doaba region of the state. People of the region will now get all facilities related to applying for and processing of passport applications," he said.