Kerala Govt issues notice to Centre on Orange passport for ECR

The Kerala High Court on Monday issued a notice to the central government on a PIL challenging its decision to introduce orange-coloured passports for people requiring emigration check.

In his plea, lawyer Shamsuddeen Karunagappally argued that such a move would lead to segregation of people with low education and low economic status.

The passport holders with ECR (Emigration Check Required) status would be issued a passport with orange-coloured jacket and those with non-ECR status would continue to get a blue passport, according to a recent Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement.

The petitioner contended that the move would make their underprivileged status known publicly through separate colour code. It is a grave invasion of their fundamental right to privacy and dignity, he said.