Hyderabad: Experts said that creating separate passports for those with the Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) status will create discrimination.
The ECR passports are given to people whose educational qualification is less than Class 10. The ECR passports will have the orange jacket and the ECNR passports will retain the current blue colour.
Mr Bheem Reddy, a trade union leader dealing with migrants rights, said, “The ministry should abolish the ECR and ECNR passport systems. The orange jacket is a sign of discrimination. Over 15 years ago, passport holders below Class 10 were issued a book with a different colour. However, it was abolished and the blue passports were introduced with the ECR stamps.
Mr Shabbir Ali, former minister for NRI affairs, said, “The orange passport will identify a person as less qualified. This will create discrimination. For those who apply for work abroad, there is already an emigration clearance stamp. There was no need to make a different passport.”
The regional passport authorities said that a proposal has been sent to the Nasik press for printing the orange colour passports and they will be ready in three months.
