Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 12: In absence of internet connection, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir works at a computer kiosk in Deputy Commissioner's Srinagar office in the afternoon every day.
The functioning of Regional Transport Office has been hampered to a great extent due to communication clampdown since August 5, when Article 370, 35A and state was bifurcated into two union territories. The procedures like car registration, license renewal, fitness and permit for vehicles, which mostly took place online are now turning time consuming processes in absence of internet connectivity. The employees at RTO presently collect the documents and shift to DC office in the afternoon, to get the work done. Sajad Ahmad, 50, a bus driver by profession rued the apathy of administration towards them. "My three buses lie unmoved in the garage since August 5. I bought two tankers for 30 lakh rupees in July. Out of which I have paid around 6 lakh rupees as down payment and 24 lakh rupees on loan," Shaban said.
"The tankers are without registration. I have been coming here for last two months. First they told me that the registration fee has increased. After that they said it will be revoked. Now they are telling me to pay the fee in installments which left me confused," he said.
"Meanwhile interest continues to pile on my vehicles while they lie idle at home. If I take them out, I risk paying lakhs in fine according to the new rules," Shaban lamented. Seconding him, Umar, a youth from old city complained that he visited RTO thrice to submit an online form for a learning license but each time met the same response. "This is my third time and now they are telling me to find another source. I feel deceived," said Umar. An official at the RTO informed that 90-95 percent of the work at RTO happens online. "Due to internet communication blockade, registration, license renewal, fitness and permit of vehicles are taking some time. But we are ensuring that they get done at the earliest," he said. The official said, "Our office remains open every day. The employees shift to DC office after 2pm, where the internet is working. They start working here by early morning at 7. Within next few days, internet will be resumed in our office." |
