Introduction :
We all know that Passport is considered as an Important valuable official document in order to travel abroad. Passport can be treated as a primary facility evidence to prove nationality. It provides protection to the passport holder in foreign country. The importance of passport and its legislation such as the Passport Act, 1967, the Passport Rules, 1980, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1950 are taught in many law schools of India. Law college in Coochbehar also gives priority to the subjects dealing with citizenship, emigration law, passport etc.
Various kinds of Passports:
India has three types of passports such as ordinary Passport, official passport and lastly diplomatic passport. These various forms of passport has been given in Section 4 of the Passport Act, 1967. Other than these three passports, two other passports such as temporary passport and family passport are operative in this country. In India, passport can be applied online and later on the applicant has to appear before the concerned Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) with required original and photocopies of documents. Mainly document showing residential address, birth certificate, passport size photographs These practical approaches are being taught in law schools. Law college in Coochbehar is no exception in this regard.
Significance of the Passport Act, 1967:
Besides passing of the Passport Act, 1967, the Government of India had passed the Passport Rules, 1980. This Act expressly mentions that in order to visit abroad one has to have valid passport. Section 3 of this Act clearly states the importance of having a valid passport. This Act provides the procedure for application with regard to passports or travel documents, duration of passport, grounds for refusal of passport, grounds for variation, impounding and revocation of passport, procedure of appeal in case applicants or passport holder faces any grievance, appellate authority, offences and penalties, power to arrest, power of search and seizure etc.
Moreover the Passport Rules, 1980 gives elaborate description regarding the form of application, fee required for application, refund of fees, forms of passport or travel documents etc.
Conclusion:
In this contemporary time, passport has been considered as the most important travel document.In contemporary world those who don’t have any planning regarding international tour also make their passport ready.
