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crkishore · 21st September 2007, 13:23

copy pasting the following from epaper.timesofindia.com. it is right on the front page !

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BUMPY DRIVE

Now, renew driving licences every year!

Rajat Guha NEW DELHI

IF the ministry of urban development has its way, we’ll be living in “driving licence raj” soon. It wants to limit the term of driving licences from the present 10-20 years to one year and make motorists undertake annual trips to the RTO office to get them renewed.
The reasoning is simple — the ministry thinks shortening the life of our driving licences will help with strict enforcement of traffic rules. And every time we get the licence renewed, we’ll have to pay for it and this will give them the cash to improve urban infrastructure — yearly trips to the RTO will result in fewer potholes and smoother traffic. And yes, the Brazilians live in “driving licence raj.” That’s where the inspiration came from.
Since states usually charge Rs 300-400 for issuing a licence, the view is that renewal should be possible for half the sum.
“We have studied about renewal charges in Brazil. If implemented in India, it could boost compliance on part of the drivers and improve law and order in the states, besides generating revenue for the states,” a source in the ministry of urban development said.
The implementation of the proposed policy may also require an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act. The matter is expected to be taken up by the Cabinet in two months. For the plan to work smoothly, states will be asked to maintain a database of licences and transport authorities in each area will be required to match renewal applications with the existing database. “The renewal process would be automatic if there is no outstanding issue against the driver relating to violation of traffic rules,” an official said.

All transactions will have to be computerised

“ALL challans pending against the driver would be considered while scanning the account,” he added. States will have to computerise all such transactions so that there are no hassles in the renewal process.
Sources in the government also concede that the plan, before its gets cabinet approval, will have to be blessed by the major political parties.
“As the proposal can create some initial hiccups, states have to take serious and proactive steps for its implementation. No government would be inclined to implement the policy as it has the potential to create unrest, especially when the country may have to go in for early general elections,” a source remarked.

21st September 2007, 13:23	#5 (permalink)
crkishore Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 25	copy pasting the following from epaper.timesofindia.com. it is right on the front page ! -------- BUMPY DRIVE Now, renew driving licences every year! Rajat Guha NEW DELHI IF the ministry of urban development has its way, we’ll be living in “driving licence raj” soon. It wants to limit the term of driving licences from the present 10-20 years to one year and make motorists undertake annual trips to the RTO office to get them renewed. The reasoning is simple — the ministry thinks shortening the life of our driving licences will help with strict enforcement of traffic rules. And every time we get the licence renewed, we’ll have to pay for it and this will give them the cash to improve urban infrastructure — yearly trips to the RTO will result in fewer potholes and smoother traffic. And yes, the Brazilians live in “driving licence raj.” That’s where the inspiration came from. Since states usually charge Rs 300-400 for issuing a licence, the view is that renewal should be possible for half the sum. “We have studied about renewal charges in Brazil. If implemented in India, it could boost compliance on part of the drivers and improve law and order in the states, besides generating revenue for the states,” a source in the ministry of urban development said. The implementation of the proposed policy may also require an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act. The matter is expected to be taken up by the Cabinet in two months. For the plan to work smoothly, states will be asked to maintain a database of licences and transport authorities in each area will be required to match renewal applications with the existing database. “The renewal process would be automatic if there is no outstanding issue against the driver relating to violation of traffic rules,” an official said. All transactions will have to be computerised “ALL challans pending against the driver would be considered while scanning the account,” he added. States will have to computerise all such transactions so that there are no hassles in the renewal process. Sources in the government also concede that the plan, before its gets cabinet approval, will have to be blessed by the major political parties. “As the proposal can create some initial hiccups, states have to take serious and proactive steps for its implementation. No government would be inclined to implement the policy as it has the potential to create unrest, especially when the country may have to go in for early general elections,” a source remarked.