Indian community groups in the UAE have urged the Centre to find a permanent solution to ongoing disruptions in passport and attestation services and roll back the recent passport fee hike, according to a report by Gulf News.
The demands come as uncertainty continues over the future of outsourced consular services after the Delhi High Court quashed the contract awarded for new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) and ordered a fresh tender.
The disruption began after India's missions in the UAE ended contracts with previous service providers and planned to shift passport and attestation services to Alhind Tours and Travels from July 1.
However, legal challenges prevented the new centres from opening, forcing the Indian Embassy and Consulate to handle applications directly.
While the missions have expanded counters and streamlined services, many applicants, particularly in Dubai, continue to face difficulty securing appointments, Gulf News reported.
Community seeks fee rollback
Community organisations have also objected to the recent increase in passport fees. The regular passport renewal fee has increased from Dh285 to Dh450, nearly a 60% rise, marking the first major revision since 2012, according to Gulf News.
Dubai KMCC's Kasaragod District Committee called for faster appointments, quicker passport issuance and more transparent consular services. The group also urged the government to withdraw the passport fee hike, saying it has placed an additional financial burden on Indian expatriates.
Appeal to Jaishankar
Telugu Rasamayi UAE said it has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeking a review of the revised fees.
According to Gulf News, the group's letter said: "The Indian diaspora has always remained deeply connected to the motherland and continues to make significant contributions to India's economy through remittances, investments, business partnerships, and cultural promotion worldwide.”
“While we understand the need for periodic revisions in government service charges, a substantial increase in passport fees may place an additional financial burden on many families, students, workers, and lower-income expatriates," it reads.
The organisation urged the government to reconsider the increase, consult diaspora representatives before implementing such changes and consider special provisions for economically vulnerable expatriates.
AKCAF Association, representing alumni of around 100 Kerala colleges in the UAE, has also launched a mass petition highlighting passport service issues and the fee increase. The association said it has collected more than 1,200 signatures and plans to submit them to the authorities.
