Srinagar, Mar 22: Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan on Saturday said that over 90,000 driving licenses are yet to be printed due to some technical issue with the authorized printer, and stated the backlog will be cleared before April 30.
“The issue is genuine. Our office has also received lots of complaints about delay in issuing driving licenses. The applicants have qualified driving tests long back but still they have not received their licenses yet. I want to inform applicants that our office has shifted process of printing DLs to some other printer, and now the issue will be resolved soon. All applicants who haven’t received driving licenses yet, will get their DLs before April 30. Our office is working to clear the backlog first, and after that an applicant will receive his/her physical copy of driving license within 5 to 7 days at their doorstep,” RTO Kashmir, Qazi Irfan told Greater Kashmir.
He said the department is mulling to roll out PVC type Registration Certificates (RCs) soon in Jammu and Kashmir like it is already introduced in other parts of the country.
When asked few bus drivers are not acknowledging half fare from students, he replied that it is the right of the student to avail half fare benefit while travelling from home to educational institute or vice-versa. “The students are entitled for 50 percent discount. Our office has received complaints in this regard that few bus drivers are violating the norms. We are committed to act tough against violators. The license of violators not only be suspended but they will be blacklisted too in case of violating orders,” he warned.
Over complaints of slot issue, he said Srinagar is the only district in Kashmir valley where driving tests are being conducted six days in a week. “We are conducting driving tests of around 190 applicants each day. In coming times the number of slots will be increased, besides special drives will be conducted if need arises.” RTO Kashmir held.
