Issuance of ordinary passport notification creates confusion

…𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

Sonam Deki

After three-month hiatus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has resumed the issuance of ordinary passports to the public. However people were found to be frustrated and confused by the notification, which stated that first come, first served.
People rushed to the passport office because they believed it was first come, first served.

Tshering Denkar Said, “We came here right away because we heard it was first come, first served. However, when we arrived, we learned that only those who receive a message from the passport office are eligible for a regular passport. It would have been simpler to understand if the notification had simply stated, only those who receive a message from the passport office can come”.

28-year-old Wangdi Phodrang resident said, “I came here right away after reading the notification. I assumed that people who registered early, prior to the passport shortage in mid-August, would receive their passports but when I arrived here, the situation was completely different. I’m just confused as to why everyone needs to make an appointment when we already registered and paid money. It would have been preferable if only those applying for the first time were required to seek appointment “.

A man, resident of Paro said, “I traveled all the way from Paro to obtain my passport. When we arrived, security told us that we needed to get a message from the passport office before we could get the passport. I understand the situation, but it would have been preferable if they had mentioned getting messages to individuals in notifications. I just squandered my time and money”.

Similarly, Wangmo from Punakha stated, “I applied for a passport on August 12, but even those who applied on August 21 are getting passports, so I am just confused about how the passport office is currently functioning.”
“Most of the people who came right now have not received any message,” he continued, “there were only a few who got the message and went back with their passports.”

Tshewang Dorji T, Chief of the Passport Division, stated, “There is no confusion. The issue with people is that they do not read the notification carefully because we have clearly stated in the notification. First come, first served in terms of date of application, because we issue passports based on the date of application”.

He further added “We have been issuing travel documents in lieu of ordinary passports since August 20, but many of them have not taken the travel document. They continued to wait for the passport. We are printing passports for those who applied from August 20 till today. We only need to print the passport because it has been verified. As of November 3, we began printing passports in quantities of at least 200”.

“They must come here when they get appointment through message from the passport office. Those who apply in person will receive their passport in 6 working days, as its practice. I don’t blame the people, nor do I blame ourselves”, said the Chief. “In the event of an emergency, we respond immediately. Some people claim that it is an emergency, so we verify all documents before deciding to issue passport,” he added.