Printing of 4.5 lakh driving licences, RCs pending, Punjab informs HC
A month after the Punjab government claimed that it had purchased chip cards privately to print driving licences and registration certificates of vehicles, it told the Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday that printing of 4.5 lakh DLs and RCs was pending.
Hearing the PIL on long wait for these documents in Punjab, the High Court has ordered the government to file a reply on the slow process of issuing DLs and RCs of the vehicles.
Filing the petition, Mohali resident Neha Shukla told the High Court that the owner of the vehicle has to get the registration done within one month. However, people in Punjab have to wait for months for RC.
The contract of M/s Smart Chip Private Limited had to come to an end in July this year. But the company exited prematurely in November last year, leaving the government and the licence and registration certificate holders in the lurch. Ever since, the government has not been able to provide the DLs and RCs on smart cards. The government tried to allot the contract twice, with tender floated twice but the process got caught up in litigation. The issue reached the High Court with another private company opposing it.
The government told the HC that there was a pendency of 6 lakh RCs but due to the efforts of the government, only 4.5 lakh cases are now pending and the backlog is being cleared. The government said that 5,000 applications are being processed every day.
It said that RCs that are being approved are available on platforms like Digi Locker and M Parivahan. The petitioner said that in this way these vehicles can be driven only in Punjab, there is a risk of challan if they are taken anywhere outside.
The HC asked why the government is not getting this work done by people on contract. The court has ordered the Punjab government to file an affidavit regarding this matter.
The pendency in printing of these DLs and RCs is an issue in the state after a company allotted the project to print these documents and conduct driving tests exited prematurely in November last year when its contract was to end in July this year, leaving the government in the lurch.
Kamal Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council of the Government of India, said that pendency was not the only issue but people were waiting for the driving tests also to be conducted. 'There was a long wait.
The government is unable to provide even as basic services as these to people. There is no plan to regularise this. People are suffering badly,' he said.
He added that if they have been able to purchase the chip cards, what is stopping them to print fast and clear the backlog.
Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said, 'We have been able to purchase chip cards as Regional Transport Authority.
Now, we are printing on our own. We are printing about 6,000 to 8,000 cards every day. We have cleared a backlog of 1.5 lakh in a month's time. Also, we have now worked out a system.
We will call tenders for two licence holders each for printing and conducting driving tests after learning from our bad experience. Our contractor ran away. We have blacklisted the company. They cannot apply for any tender. Also, we have withheld their payments to the tune of Rs 7 crore for ditching us,' he said.
He added, 'Now with two license holders each, our work will go on even if a company exits prematurely.'
Bhullar said they will only invite the tender for printing now, 'We had a rider that a company having three-years experience would be considered for the tender allotment. A private company, having a year's experience, went to the high court and git a stay. Now, we are saying we are ready to consider a company having one year experience.'
Soi has been demanding that the government should award the contract to Government of India's NICSI so that the backlog is cleared.
But the government asked the company to give them a security deposit. And hence, it did not proceed further.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Order on ceasing bike taxi operations to come into effect from June 16
Starting June 16, app-based bike taxi operations are expected to come to a halt across Karnataka, following the Karnataka High Court's refusal to stay an earlier order mandating the suspension of such services unless the State introduces regulatory norms under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. A Division Bench of the High Court, on June 13, upheld a single judge order dated April 2, which had directed all bike taxi services to wind up operations within six weeks. Although an extension was granted until June 15, the deadline now marks the end of bike taxi rides in the State unless a regulatory framework is introduced. A senior official from the Karnataka Transport Department confirmed that the department is preparing to implement the court's order and will not permit the continuation of bike taxi services beyond the stipulated deadline. However, regarding the regulatory framework the officer did not wish to comment. The move is expected to affect thousands of riders and commuters. An executive from a leading bike taxi aggregator platform, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that over six lakh individuals in Karnataka depend on bike taxi gigs for their livelihood. 'Most of them earn around ₹35,000 a month, and this ban could push many families into financial distress,' the official noted. Impact of ban The impact of the ban is twofold: while it disrupts the lives of gig workers, it also leaves commuters stranded. For several residents, especially those dependent on public transport, bike taxis provided a cheaper last-mile solution. Commuters said that the services were not only cheaper but also faster, helping daily office-goers and students navigate city traffic with ease. A Whitfield resident and daily commuter, Rohan Imdapura, said, 'Bike taxis were a lifesaver for people like me. Getting from home to the metro station used to cost barely ₹30–₹40. Now I will be forced to rely on autorickshaws, which are expensive and not always dependable.' The court's decision, however, has been welcomed by autorickshaw drivers, who have been at loggerheads with bike taxi operators over what they describe as unfair competition. Rudramurthy, general secretary of the Autorickshaw Drivers' Union, said, 'This verdict is a huge relief. Bike taxis were running without clear regulations, which affected our earnings and posed safety risks to commuters. The government must now ensure there are no illegal operations continuing under the radar.' Over the past few years, tensions have flared between auto drivers and bike taxi riders, occasionally erupting into confrontations on the streets. Uncertain future Meanwhile, representatives of bike taxi riders said the decision has left thousands in limbo. Adi Narayana, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, said many riders are approaching the association's offices seeking clarity on their future. 'Most of our captains have EMIs to pay, families to feed, and rent to cover. This is not just about losing a job, it's about losing the ability to survive. Will the government offer any support?' he asked. Rapido, one of the leading platforms operating bike taxis in the State, has responded to the High Court's ruling by confirming that it will comply with the directive effective June 16. While the company clarified that it is not a party to the current legal case, it acknowledged the situation and said it remains committed to acting as a responsible participant in the State's transport ecosystem. 'This is a difficult time for our captains, who depend on us for their main source of income. They have played a key role in enabling affordable, last-mile transportation for millions across Karnataka,' a Rapido spokesperson said. The company stated it is actively engaging with the Karnataka Transport Department to develop a regulatory framework that is not only lawful but also viable for all stakeholders involved. It stressed that the safety of commuters and the well-being of gig workers will continue to be at the heart of its approach. 'We remain optimistic that ongoing discussions with the authorities will lead to a balanced policy framework, similar to those in other States and Union Territories,' the spokesperson added.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
HMR denies buzz on HC stay order on Old City Metro rail
Hyderabad: NVS Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited and Hyderabad Airport Metro Ltd (HAML), on Friday affirmed that the High Court has not issued any stay order regarding the ongoing metro rail works in the Old City. Reddy refuted circulating reports, stating they are factually incorrect and misleading, and confirmed that no such stay order had been granted by the High Court. He explained that the demolition of affected structures is proceeding at a good pace, with property owners receiving attractive compensation packages, mostly as consent awards. NVS Reddy further elaborated that in a counter affidavit previously filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Act Public Welfare Foundation (APWF), HAML had submitted to the High Court that no heritage structure was being touched or demolished in the Old City, and that the Metro Rail alignment was situated far from the Charminar Falaknuma precincts. On behalf of HAML, Additional Advocate General Imran Khan provided an assurance to the High Court that no heritage structure would be touched or demolished. NVS Reddy also praised the enthusiastic participation of Old City residents, who are pleased with the progress of demolitions, debris clearance, and the prospect of an early commencement of the long awaited Metro Rail works in the Old City.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Bike taxis must obey Karnataka high court order: Transport department
Bengaluru: With Karnataka high court refusing to stay a single bench order directing bike taxi operators to cease operations, the Karnataka transport department has reiterated that aggregators like Rapido, Ola, and Uber must stop offering bike taxi services from June 16. A department source said, "The govt has maintained bike taxi services are illegal in Karnataka. The dept took the same stand before HC. Now, the division bench has refused to stay the order." The govt has shown no intent to introduce a regulatory framework to legalise bike taxi services. The ongoing tussle between aggregators and the transport department persisted for years. The service, which saw a significant spike in demand post-pandemic, gained popularity in Bengaluru due to its affordability and convenience. However, autorickshaw drivers strongly opposed bike taxis, calling for a complete ban. In 2021, the govt introduced a policy on e-bike taxis with several regulations, but it was withdrawn last year citing concerns over misuse and safety. Nasscom urges govt to frame policy The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) has formally appealed to Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, requesting immediate intervention to prepare a clear policy framework for bike taxi operations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The appeal comes in response to HC's directive to halt bike taxi services. In its submission, Nasscom urged the govt to extend the June 15 deadline to avoid widespread livelihood disruption. It called for the initiation of a consultative process to develop a balanced and long-term regulatory solution. The industry body maintains that tech-enabled mobility solutions like bike taxis support livelihoods, improve last-mile connectivity, and decongest urban traffic. "The ecosystem not only offers affordable and efficient mobility but also sustains lakhs of gig workers across the state, including students, women, migrants from other parts of Karnataka, and those recovering from the post-pandemic economic crisis," Nasscom said. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
