The government has earned more than Taka 800 crore as revenue after the introduction of MRPs (machine readable passports) and MRVs (machine readable visas) till May 20 this year.

“The Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) issued some 21, 81,000 MRPs to the Bangladeshi nationals since its introduction on May 01, 2010 contributing Taka 800 crore to the national exchequer,” an official told BSS Wednesday. The official said some 22,00,000 applications for MRPs have been received by the authorities till May 20. Of them, some 65,500 applications have been received in the Bangladesh missions abroad for MRPs during the period.

“We have earned Taka 800 crore since the introduction of MRPs and MRVs ,” Director General Mohammad Abdul Mabud of the Department of Immigration and Passports told the news agency.

He said the DIP installed MRPs and MRVs equipment in 24 out of 66 Bangladesh missions abroad to issue passports for the Bangladeshi expatriates and MRVs for the foreign nationals.

“The number of passport wings will be increased shortly for issuing MRPs and MRVs to passport and visa seekers in the missions,” Mabud said adding that 33 regional passport offices are now issuing MRPs across the country minimizing sufferings of the people. — BSS