MACHINE-READABLE PASSPORTS, VISAS
Govt takes fresh move
Asif Showkat
The government has initiated a fresh move to introduce machine-readable passports and visas as the international deadline restricting travel without them expires at the end of March 2010, said the planning ministry’s officials on Monday.
‘The project proposal for introduction of the much-discussed machine-readable passports and visas is likely to be placed at the ECNEC’s meeting on Tuesday,’ said Md Idris Ali Dewan, member of the Socio-Economic infrastructure Division of the ministry.
This is for the first time that a proposal for introducing machine-readable passports and visas is being sent to the Executive Committee on National Economic Council for its approval, the official added.
‘People will not be able to go abroad without machine-readable passports and visas after April 1, 2010 as the deadline of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in this regard will expire then,’ he said.
During the five-year project (2009-2014) the government will issue 1.74 crore ordinary passports and 0.10 crore special machine-readable passports, according to the proposed project.
The project, sent by the home affairs ministry to the planning ministry for scrutiny, will cost Tk 350 crore.
‘No donor’s assistance will be accepted to implement the project,’ said another official of the planning ministry.
According to the proposed project, the Immigration and Passport Directorate will earn Tk 920 crore from issuing the machine-readable passports and visas during the 5-year period.
The government will spend Tk 268.52 crore in the 2009-10 fiscal year, Tk 35.66 crore in 2010-11, Tk 35.34 crore in 2011-2012, Tk 25.39 crore in 2012-2013 and Tk 24.99 crore in 2013-2014, according to the project proposal.
The BNP-Jamaat government planned a huge project to introduce machine-readable passports, visas and national identity cards at an estimated cost of Tk 1,546 crore.
The project was set to be implemented by the home affairs ministry, but was abandoned in late 2006 following controversy over appointment of consultant and tender evaluation.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
