he Enforcement Directorate, ED, has issued a show cause notice against a firm related to Yoga guru Ramdev's close aide Balkrishna for alleged violations of foreign exchange rules. Balkrishna, who has been booked under the criminal provisions of money laundering recently by the agency, is a co-director in a food firm which has been alleged to have

contravened the Foreign Exchange Management Act, FEMA. According to an official, the agency has issued a FEMA notice involving an amount of 4.36 crore rupees and a reply has been sought from the firm and office bearers.

Balkrishna has also been charged by the CBI for alleged violations of the Passport Act.

External Affairs Minister, S M Krishna has said that he is looking forward to his impending visit to Pakistan to carry forward on going dialogue process aimed at seeking friendly and cooperative relationship with the neighbouring country.

Addressing a Function at Shere Kashmir Convention Centre in Srinagar today after inaugurating Passport Seva Kendra and laying of foundation stone of new Passport Bhawan he said that relations between the two countries have gradually improved during last one year and fruitful exchanges at different levell have continued. 

Mr Krishna said that during the visit of Pak Foreign Minister Hena Rubani Khar she had publicly said that there was a realisation in Pakistan to have change in its attitude with regard to relations with India. The Foreign Minister said that India and Pakistan have gained nothing in past by engaging in acrimony while as they have to gain every thing if they understand each other and cooperate for betterment of their people.

Earlier speaking on the occasion the State Chief Minster Omer Abdulla and Union Minster Dr Farooq Abdulla while thanking External Affairs Minister for opening Passport Seva Kendras in Jammu and Srinagar. stressed the need for strengthening cross loc trade in the state and changing present barter system into financial exchanges. 

Mr Omer Abdulla while wishing success to Foreign Minister in his forth coming Pakistani visit said that relationship between India and Pakistan has a direct bearing on the situation in the state and people in Jammu and Kashmir are longing for permanent peace and friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

he government has decided to organise passport melas to ease the delay faced by the citizens. Regional Passport Offices including Passport Seva Kendras at Delhi, Ghaziabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Amritisar will remain open on Saturday and Sunday.

The move comes because of unprecedented demand for Passport services during these months. The applicants may fill up new applications for passport form available on the website www.passportindia.gov.in. The applicants can also visit either regional passport office or any of the Kendras under its jurisdiction between 10 AM and 2 PM along with a self attested copy of each of requisite documents.

AIR correspondent reports that the applicant should carry original documents for verification. The applicant is not required to take online appointment for submitting application during Passport Mela. Applications will be accepted only in person and not through any third party. The application for all passport related services other than tatkaal shall be accepted during Passport Mela.
applicants, Kendras tatkaal