Brazil allows new passports to be issued after freeze

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Brazilian President Michel Temer signed on Wednesday a loan of 102 million reais (32 million US dollars) for the federal police to resume issuing new passports after the procedure was suspended in late June due to lack of funds.

The government hopes printing the ID documents will begin again as soon as on Friday.

On June 27, the federal police announced it was suspending the issuance of all new passports citing cash shortages.

Official data show that around 11,000 passports are issued on daily basis in Brazil.

The interruption of the process led to public outcry.

Last year, the federal budget allocated around 578 million reais (182 million US dollars) for passports, but much of these funds were not invested in continuing with the issuance service.

Brazilian President Michel Temer. /VCG Photo

The federal police did not explain where the money went, stating only that this sum was added to the national budget and was not immune to Temer's major federal budget cuts.

To obtain a passport, Brazilian citizens must pay 257.25 reais (81 US dollars) and wait for six working days before getting their hands on the document.

In late 2016, the Brazilian government passed a stringent budget law, capping federal spending for 20 years and allowing it to increase only following the rate of inflation.

(Source: Xinhua)

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