MVD fails to address 5 lakh RC applications; Vehicle owners affected in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: The Motor Vehicles Department is causing difficulties to vehicle owners by not resolving five lakh applications for Vehicle Registration Certificates (RCs). The lack of RCs is creating more trouble due to interruptions in subsequent services.
Until the RC is printed, the application remains incomplete in the department's 'Vahan' software, and new applications cannot be accepted.
This delay prevents the renewal of registration, fitness certificates, permits and services related to loans (hypothecation). Since the first application remains incomplete, vehicle ownership transfers cannot be processed, impacting vehicle sales. A similar issue arose when driving license printing was disrupted. The problem was resolved by modifying the software to accept new applications even without printing the old licenses.
RC printing has been stalled for 100 days in the state. Out of five lakh applications, ₹10 crore has been collected in revenue. Only around ₹3 crore is required to pay the contract company for printing. The disruption occurred because of pending dues to the company.
The RC and licenses on 'PET G' (Poly Ethylene Terephthalate-Glycol) cards were introduced as an achievement of the government by the then-Transport minister Antony Raju. However, a change in the minister resulted in a policy shift. Driving licenses are now issued in digital format instead of printed cards. Minister K B Ganesh Kumar had announced plans to digitise RCs as well. However, practical challenges arise in fully digitising RCs, as they are required for inter-state travel of public transport vehicles like lorries, tourist buses and taxis.
Visitor Restrictions in MVD Offices: Visitors will not be allowed in Motor Vehicles Department offices after 1 pm. This measure is being taken to prevent disruptions to work caused by the heavy influx of visitors. The arrangement aims to complete the applications received in the morning before the end of the day.