e-passports with extra features for all Indians on the way

Muscat: An E-passport featuring enhanced security features such as biometric details will be soon rolled out by the Indian government.
Replying to a question in the Indian parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said the government was in the process of procuring devices for the e-passport.
The e-passport is likely to secure data and curb the menace of fake passports.
An E-passport contains an electronic chip. The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport's data page.
"The government has plans to issue e-passports to the citizens. The government has given its approval for procurement of electronic contactless inlays for manufacturing of e-passports to India Security Press (ISP) Nasik.
"In this regard, ISP Nasik, has been authorised to float a global three-stage tender for procurement of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-compliant electronic contactless inlays along with its operating system which is required for manufacture of e-passports," Singh said.
He said manufacture of E-passports will commence on the successful completion of the tendering and procurement process by ISP, Nasik.
According to the Indian government’s latest data, there are 3,17,37,358 Indians living abroad.
Oman has 7,96,001 non-resident Indians, including 919 Person of India Origin.