Panaji, Nov 4 (TNN): Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik demanded that the Goa passport office be allowed to resume suspension of emigration service, to avoid forcing people to travel all the way to Mumbai to obtain the endorsement of 'Emigration check not required' (ECNR).

He made the request through two separate letters addressed by him to Union minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj and joint secretary-cum-chief passport officer, New Delhi, Muktesh Pardesi.

Emigration suspension service seekers have to travel a distance of 600km to Mumbai - the nearest protector of emigrants office - to avail of the service, Naik wrote in his letter, seeking intervention of the ministry to authorize Goa passport office to act as protector of emigrants and provide solace to hundreds of job seekers who wish to travel abroad.

Until March 2012, Goa passport office, Panaji, rendered service of suspension of emigration service on behalf of protector of emigrants to bonafide passport holders. But, with the opening of passport seva kendra under passport seva kendra project in March 2012, Goa passport office discontinued suspension of emigration service, as this was not covered under contractual terms with the private service provider - Tata Consultancy Service.