Staff strike cripples work at passport office, seva kendras

LUCKNOW: Monday turned out to be a disappointment for passport applicants. Many of them, who had their appointments scheduled for the day, had to go back as the two passport seva kendras and the passport office were closed due to the all-India strike called by the employees and staff.
Nitin and Jay Bhargava, both friends and neighbours, said they were happy they had got the appointment easily."It will not be a problem for us since we live in Lucknow but what about those who come from outside?"said Nitin.
About 150 applicants with prior appointment had to go back due to the strike. Lucknow generates close to 1,200 appointments daily. Rajesh Kumar from Sitapur said, "I will stay at my uncle's place and take an appointment for any of the days this week than go back to Sitapur."
"We called off the strike at around 1pm after our association got a written assurance from the external affairs ministry that they'd look into our demands," said national vice-president of All India passport staff association, Sanjay Srivastava.
The applicants who chose to stay back were attended to by the passport employees. "Those who could not submit their documents today will have to reschedule their appointment," said Srivastava.
On July 28, the employees had protested against the ministry by sporting a black band. They were demanding cadre review, end of deputation system for APO cadre, transparent transfer policy and amendment in recruitment rules.