Delay in passport may cost techie dream job

The 25-year-old has been trying hard since a year to get his passport, but authorities seem reluctant to process his application

For Sandeep Shetty, a young techie, the pursuit of his dream a job overseas is turning out to be a nightmare.

The reason: There has been an inordinate delay in getting his passport, all because he had a tiff with an assistant passport officer, allegedly because they were acting indifferent and rude.

Shetty (25) had a job offer from a firm in Sydney in July 2009. He immediately applied for his passport.

Shetty completed his engineering course with the help of a Rs 6 lakh-loan from a bank. He also did the Merchant Navy course from Mumbai.

As he has not been able to repay his loan, the bank has started sending recovery notices to him.

Shetty's dilemma does not end there. If he applies for other jobs, his merchant navy certificate will hold no significance.

His repeated visits and pleas irked the officials. An assistant passport officer allegedly shouted at him, and asked him to get out of the passport office.

Even security personnel warned him against sparring with officials, "If you act like this, you will never get a passport." Following this incident, the only answer he got from the officials was 'It is still being processed'.

When a year went without any development, he approached all the higher officials including A Manickam, Joint Secretary (PV) & Chief Passport Officer Ministry of External Affairs.

All assured him of positive results, but nothing has still happened. Now Shetty is in a dilemma about his future.

Sandeep told MiD DAY, "It's not just me. I met many others who are disappointed with the regional passport office's attitude. I am really frustrated, and feel suicidal."

Repeated attempts to contact officials fromu00a0 the regional passport office bore no fruit.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!