Published Nov 25, 2023 | 12:46 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 25, 2023 | 12:47 AM
A Regional Passport Officer (RPO) holds a pivotal role in overseeing passport-related activities within a designated region. (Supplied)
Jonnalagadda Snehaja, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 2016 batch, assumed the role of the new regional passport officer (RPO) and head of office in Hyderabad On Friday, 24 November.
A native of Hyderabad, Snehaja is also a qualified chartered accountant. She succeeded Dasari Balaiah, who had taken office as the RPO on 26 November, 2020.
Before assuming the position of the Hyderabad RPO, Snehaja served as the secondary secretary at the Embassy of India in Beijing and as an undersecretary in the Bangladesh and Myanmar divisions, as well as in the Vigilance division in the Ministry of External Affairs.
She is the second woman to hold the position of the Hyderabad RPO, following Ashwini Sattaru.
Snehaja accomplished her Chartered Accountancy on her first attempt and, after practising for a period, taught CA to students for nearly two years before dedicating herself to preparing for the Civil Services exam.
The daughter of Dr BR Ambedkar Open University employee Sujatha and CA J Venkatswarlu, she secured the 103rd rank in the Union Public Service Commission examination in 2015, emerging as a top ranker in Telangana.
It is noteworthy that the Regional Passport Office in Hyderabad processes and dispatches 3,000 passports daily using Speed Post, ensuring delivery within 24 hours to applicants by the Department of Posts.
In 2022, the office issued 6.5 lakh passports, with 3.5 lakh passports issued as of 11 June this year.
An RPO holds a pivotal role in overseeing passport-related activities within a designated region. The primary responsibility involves the issuance of passports, ensuring that applications adhere to prescribed criteria and documentation standards.
The RPO conducts thorough background checks and verifications to validate the authenticity of information provided by applicants, playing a key role in upholding national and international passport laws.
Additionally, the officer is involved in enforcing these laws and taking appropriate actions against violations.
Customer service is a crucial aspect, where the RPO provides guidance to applicants, addresses inquiries, and resolves issues.
Collaboration with other government agencies, record keeping, training staff, implementing security measures, and contributing to emergency services further characterise the multifaceted role of a Regional Passport Officer.
Their efforts are directed toward maintaining the integrity and security of the passport issuance process, thereby contributing to national and international security standards.
