(Read on your free time, a bit long tale of PSK). I got my first passport in 2003 from Bangalore and it was a great experience, got the passport lot faster(since there was an urgent need for US travel) with the help of local Police Station in Kamanahalli.
After 11 years since dealing with the Passport office(yes my passport was in expired status for last one year since I had the fear of dealing with the great govt officials of our West Bengal though they are salaried by central but their thought process is still the same). Anyways, coming back to the topic; last one year few times I tried to get the appointment in Kolkata PSK but failed due to all the brokers blocking the appointments.
Then 1 month(around 1st week of Aug 2014) back suddenly realized need to take up the challenge again; saw I can get an appointment in PSK Berhampur, Murshiabad on 12 Sept 2014. So, went for it with the sense that even I get into trouble dealing with these creations of God called govt officials in West Bengal but at least I will get a break from heavy day trading.
Visit a new place all alone(my daughter had assessment week going on). Anyways, filled the form; from 11 years back couple of things changed: 1. Address(added the Newtown address) 2. Got Married(without noticing entered the info is new getting into my passport file niether the list of reqd doc asks for Marriage cert). After having a rough bus(felt like the boat) ride through NH34(Barasat to Berhampur) reached Berhampur last night 11:00 PM starting around 4:00 PM from Newtown; heard the road is not getting repaired because the state govt is saying it is the responsibility of the central govt and they are not releasing fund for political purpose etc etc.
Good that I did not dare to drive by my own(some one already warned me about the road condition). Next day(today morning) reached the PSK with the required documents listed at the time of taking the appointment in the website of passport official(Notarized lease(rental) agreement for last 3 years as address proof) and my original passport. The person in the 1st counter says "Lease Agreement! Go upstairs & check with some one if it is acceptable". The first official person in first floor told me "oh! You have to check with the person in downstairs!" -
Bingo! I am dealing with the great creation of God! Anyways, checked with another person in first floor & he referred to one who referred to another couple of people, finally one person told "There is a circular came very recently within a month & it says it has to be registered with photo of the owner & the tenant etc etc" - So this is not acceptable, then I mentioned but 11 years back I got my passport using lease agreement in Bangalore: the person responded it was in Bangalore but this is West Bengal - I was stumped & spellbound!
The person says you bring the passbook of State Bank of India, electricity bill, water bill, voter id & many more [if you are in rented apartment none of these are going to be in your name]. So, I told can we get the address changed now since I have my voter Id card in Howrah address(permanent). Then I was referred back to the 1st person to check if he can modify it, where it was even more interesting. He now looks at the passport and reads my passport & gets pretty excited and says "Oh! You were in the US(for 5 years) in Amazon! I am thinking the companies Amazon, Flipkart are doing pretty well & I am wondering if I(having an MBA but just working in this counter) can apply for a job in these companies".
I asked his email & said sure I will send you the details on how to apply etc etc. Then this person says "I will change the address to what is in the voter id but did you bring your school certificate & marriage certificate?" I told "In your list of required document it says address proof & Passport if ECNR page then school certificate not required and nothing else" This person says "I can override you to single from married but that will not erase your spouces name! So the next person who is screening will not let it go!"
Though he says you bring your marriage cert, school cert and voter id card along w/ passport on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday; I will process your passport application but you also send me the details regarding applying for these companies. And I am back home now with more than 6 hrs of journey back(used train so not much bumpy ride). Feeling totally lost and regretting my decision to come back to Kolkata and even more on taking this particular risk of trying with the great creation of God & losing financially & as well mentally! Next time, I am voting against BJP(since the circular was sent less than a month ago) for having this recent circular that creates more pain for people who are in rented apartments.
I have given up on renewing my passport by visiting Berhampur, Murshidabad - would rather pay extra to the brokers in Kolkata & get an appointment quickly and get the passport renewal done using my voter id address where I do not live but my mom lives the! The country is filled with corruption and day by day the govt policies are made so that more corruption can be done - we have no choice or hope!