SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Aug 20
In a significant development, the Transport Department of Jammu and Kashmir is preparing to outsource the printing and distribution of Driving Licenses (DL) and vehicle Registration Certificates (RC) to a private company. This decision is aimed at reducing the long waiting times applicants currently face to obtain these documents.
Earlier, the department handled the printing and distribution process internally. However, last year, the department experienced a shortage of printing materials, resulting in a backlog of around 200,000 pending licenses. This shortage prompted the authorities to explore alternatives for streamlining the process.
Under the new system, the private company will be responsible not only for the printing and distribution of DLs and RCs but also for related tasks such as lamination, packaging, dispatch, delivery, and returning acknowledgment slips. Moreover, the company will oversee SMS notifications to applicants and ensure that transport department offices are relieved of these duties.
The department has initiated a tendering process, inviting interested companies to submit their applications. The selected company will be contracted for a period of five years. Once the process is complete, all DLs and RCs will be printed locally, speeding up the issuance of these essential documents.
Transport officials expressed optimism that outsourcing the printing and distribution will significantly improve service delivery, ensuring applicants receive their DLs and RCs in a timely manner. It is also expected to eliminate the need for applicants to make repeated visits to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) to follow up on their applications.
Officials further clarified that there will be no additional fees for applicants due to the new system, and the existing application charges will remain unchanged.
Pankaj Bhagotra, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jammu, emphasized that the shift to a private company would address the challenges faced by the department, especially the shortage of staff, which has hindered the smooth functioning of the process. He assured that the new arrangement will ensure a more efficient and streamlined system for the issuance of DLs and RCs.
The Transport Department anticipates that this outsourcing initiative will set a new benchmark in the delivery of public services and improve the overall experience for applicants in Jammu and Kashmir.
