btw correction is ... general people used to have access to passport. my brother went to uk in 1984 for his higher studies... my dad is a commoner so no connection to high class. he was no high class ... he got his passport easily. i got mine in 1989 and it was no problem either.... one thing is for sure for genuine people they was no scrutiny... and no hassale like now... i got my passport in 1989 in 3 days... it took me 5 days to renew it from Lalitpur district administration this time in 2003