Get your licence without fuss….Akshay Deshmane
Problems encountered during the implementation of the home-delivered DL scheme have led to revisions
Problems encountered during the implementation of the home-delivered DL scheme have led to revisions
Applicants who could not receive home delivery of their driving licences or registration certificates through speed post have reason to cheer. The transport commissioner has given fresh orders to iron out problems in the implementation of the home delivery of licences and registration certificates scheme.
Based on an understanding with the postal department, postmen have now been authorised to personally correct wrongly entered pin codes in addresses. Also, blood relatives of licence applicants or registration book owners have been allowed to receive the delivery through the postmen on the production of an identity card which proves their relationship with the applicant.
These decisions have come in the backdrop of sustained criticism of the department about several problems that were confronted during the initial phase of implementation of the scheme at the Central Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Tardeo.
Regional transport officer MP Jadhav of the Tardeo RTO told DNA that the transport commissioner has communicated the solutions to the problems to his office. The decision was taken since postal codes have been substantially changed recently and, as reported by DNA on April 28, several licence applicants had written their respective postal codes incorrectly. Also, since it was not always possible for the applicants to be present at home, blood relatives have been authorised to receive delivery against valid photo identity cards like PAN card, voter’s ID and passport. Previously, if the postal codes were entered incorrectly or applicant was found absent at the time of delivery, the licence would be sent back to the RTO.
Jadhav, though, said one area still remained unclear to him. What if the applicant or his relative personally came to the RTO to collect the returned licence and also produced an identity card? What should officials do? No written order has been received regarding this yet and his office has sent a reminder to the commissioner’s office.
Meanwhile, transport commissioner Dilip Jadhav said that a notice will soon be issued to allow applicants to collect their licences from the RTO if they cannot collect it at their homes. Some RTO officials suspect this could encourage illegal licence agents and driving schools to manipulate the facility to suit their needs and discourage contact between the administration and public.
The scheme will now benefit residents of the western and eastern suburbs in the city as well as nearby Thane city. Starting today, three more RTOs begin the implementation of the scheme.