Heeding to suggestions from the media and others, the Transport Minister, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar made this announcement after launching the smart card licence service and inaugurating the new RTO premises in Margao today.
“Doing away with the need to depend on vehicles of the motor driving school, we will provide our own vehicles having a dual control system (as required under the law) by charging a nominal user charge,” Mr Madkaikar told this reporter after holding discussions with the transport secretary, Mr Rajiv Yaduvanshi and other officials.
Mr Madkaikar further informed that with the introduction of high security numberplates by August, Goa would become the first state in the country to implement the system.
“All required formalities in the matter are almost done,” he informed. The Minister hoped that with the inauguration of the new RTO office, congestion that was normally being witnessed would be checked.
“The RC book would also be made available shortly to the people,” he informed, adding that the modernisation of the state RTO was currently underway and would soon be completed. The payment of passenger tax would however continue to be accepted at the old RTO office.
In the first phase of the on-line registration, the dealer will be given a limited power of completing all registration formalities online including the collection of road tax, registration fees, etc as well as allotting the vehicle number —ordinary or of choice — instantly to the customer.
The Power Minister, Mr Digamber Kamat said this is a bold step the transport department has taken in public interest in the era of e-governance.
He called upon the staff to extend maximum co-operation to the people. The new office has been purchased at a price of Rs 56 lakh and was renovated at an additional cost of Rs 30 lakh.
The director of transport, Mr Mihir Vardhan said there were altogether 5.2 lakh vehicles registered in Goa, with 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles of all kind being added every year.
Mr Vardhan further said the issuing of driving licences and registration of vehicles were being carried out through computerisation, while functional computerisation for activities like collection of taxes, MIS reports, etc needed to be achieved.
He assured that the remaining 50 per cent computerisation in the department would be achieved within next three to four months. Others who graced the occasion included the Fatorda MLA, Mr Damu Naik, the MMC chairperson, Mr Ghanashyam Shirodkar and others.
Quelle/Source: The Navhind Times, 25.05.2006
