SAROOR
JAMMU: Jammu’s Regional Transport Office (RTO) is grappling with a substantial backlog of approximately 70,000 to 80,000 driving licenses awaiting printing, leading to an alarming waiting period of 7-8 months. The prolonged delay has triggered widespread frustration among applicants and raised concerns about the efficiency and management of the RTO.
Insider sources reveal that the delay in license printing can be attributed to the indecisive nature of officers responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Transport department. Shockingly, these officers reportedly failed to release payments to the card-supplying vendor, resulting in the vendor halting the supply of license cards. This significant disruption in the supply chain has exacerbated the already extensive delays faced by the RTO.
According to sources, this issue is not an isolated incident. It is alleged that the Transport department regularly delays and defaults on payments to various vendors engaged for a range of services, which contributes to delays in multiple processes. Astonishingly, despite the Transport Department continuing to collect substantial revenue from license applicants and other transportation-related processes, timely payment to vendors is not being ensured.
In a troubling revelation, an anonymous employee from the Transport Department disclosed that the department had even defaulted on payment to a fibre internet supplier. As a result, the internet vendor disconnected the service, leading to a complete halt in the online processes of the RTO and the Transport department. The explanation provided to users was that the server was down, but negotiations and a partial payment eventually restored the internet connection after a few days. The employee emphasized that such an attitude of delayed or defaulting payments pervades all processes within the department.
The severity of the backlog and the resulting inconvenience the public faces have sparked calls for immediate government intervention. It is imperative for the authorities to take prompt action and hold the officers in the Transport department accountable for the delays. The government will need to address this issue urgently, making sure that the necessary steps are taken to expedite the printing process and streamline the operations at the Jammu RTO. Restoring public trust and ensuring that citizens receive their driving licenses in a timely manner should be the top priority.
