New Delhi, June 20: To reduce non-availability of appointments and to check "no-shows" of applicants at Passport Seva Kendras, the government has made prior online payments compulsory for booking appointments at more centres, including in the NCR, with effect from June 21.

Reviewing the operations over the last one year, it was observed that a large number of applicants were not turning up at the PSKs despite taking appointment.

"This was not only resulting in lesser utilisation of processing capacity of the PSK but was also causing denial of appointments for other genuine applicants," an official statement said.

To resolve the issue of non-availability of appointments and to reduce no-shows of applicants, the External Affairs Ministry has launched online payment system for booking appointments, the statement added.

With the launch of online payment-based appointments, applicants will be required to make payment at the time of booking appointment on the MEA website.

PTI