PTI

New Delhi, Oct 2: Amid security concerns because of misuse of passports, government has decided to introduce bio-metric passports, using sophisticated technology of finger-prints, in the country by the end of 2007.

These will initially be introduced in the category of diplomatic and official passports, officials said in New Delhi on Sunday.

Such passports, aimed at eliminating the scope of impersonation and other forms of manipulations, are subsequently expected to be given to other categories of people.

These passports will have a chip which will carry the finger-print and all other details of its holder. The finger-print will also be fed in the computer system of immigration officials at airports and ports.

"Whenever anybody with this passport approaches an immigration officer, he will be required to put his finger print on the computer window. If the finger print matches, the person is cleared," an official said.

Introduction of this system will involve massive computerisation and the task has been entrusted to the government-owned National Informatics Centre (NIC).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also decided to introduce a system wherein a sticker, carrying all relevant information of its holder, would be pasted on passports.

These will be beneficial in the context of people going abroad for studies or job. It is being introduced in view of detection of large number of cases wherein wrong information has been furnished.