BJD leader slams Pradhan for not recommending passport centre in Koraput

Jeypore: Former BJD MLA of Jeypore Rabi Narayan Nanda lambasted Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan today for ignoring Koraput while urging External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to set up seven more Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in Odisha.

Talking to media persons Nanda said, “Yesterday I came to know through media that Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter requesting sanction of Passport Seva Kendras at seven post offices in Odisha. But it is unfortunate that not a single post office was recommended for Koraput in the list.

Nanda further added, “It is an insult against the tribals of Koraput. Hailing from the district I request the Central Government to set up a Passport Seva Kendra in a post office here. Pradhan has only mentioned the names of the areas where he has some influence.”

It may be mentioned that on Monday Pradhan had named Angul, Berhampur, Balasore, Kendrapara, Bolangir, Jajpur and Bhawanipatna as the places requiring the POPSKs/PSKs.

“Growing need is felt to open additional POPSKs/PSKs to expedite issue of passports. I take this opportunity to request you to kindly issue necessary instructions for starting POPSKs/PSKs,” Pradhan had written to Swaraj.