Thursday, December 23 2004 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: There were 40 specific instances of inaccurate depiction of India's boundaries brought to the notice of Government by Indian Missions and Posts abroad during the last five years, Rajya Sabha was informed today (Dec 23, 2004).

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, in a written reply, said that while 13 such instances were reported last year, the figure was nine this year.

The concerned Indian Mission/Post took up the issue with the concerned publisher/agency, and advised them to rectify it and impressed upon them not to repeat the said distortions/descriptions in their future publications, he said.

As on October 31, 2004, approximately 1,80,000 applications are pending in various Passport Offices in the country, Ahamed said adding that the staff strength has also gone up although it is not concomitant with the increase in the number of passport applications received.

The Government has also recently reviewed the facilities granted to Hajj pilgrimage with regard to subsidy in airfare and has removed discriminatory conditions with regard to the number of pilgrimage in one's life time, status of the pilgrim as an income-tax payee and use of accommodation provided by the Hajj Committee, he said.

Non Income-tax payees will get higher priority for availing of subsidy in airfare, Ahamed said.

The feasibility study being conducted on the India-Myanmar rail link by RITES Ltd is expected to be completed by 2005. Subsequent work will be undertaken after consideration of the report prepared by the RITES, he said.

Three routs have been identified for examination under the Trans Asian Railways (TAR) network, which is still at a preliminary stage and there is so far no agreement on the details, including cost.