After a backlash from political parties, the external affairs ministry has withdrawn its decision of issuing orange-coloured passports to the unskilled workers and others requiring immigration check. Also, passports will continue to serve as a valid address proof as the ministry has decided to continue printing the last page with personal details.
The ministry said in a statement “The decision was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the recommendations of a three-member committee comprising officials of MEA and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, to print the last page of passport booklet.”
On January 12, the External Affairs Ministry said that they are planning to do away with the last page of the passport that contains information such as the name of the spouse, parents name, address of the passport-holder, Emigration Check Required (ECR) and old passport number with date and place of issue. Also, without the last page, passport holders with ECR status were to be issued an orange coloured passport. Read all about it..
