The Motor Vehicles Department will extend e-payment across the State from next week to allow people to pay online fees for various services connected to non-transport vehicles and tax for new vehicles.
e-payment, which saves people the trouble of visiting regional transport offices (RTOs) to make payments, promises faster and transparent services.
Successful run
The decision to roll it out across the State comes because of its success in Thiruvananthapuram district, where it was introduced as a pilot project last year in the RTOs in Thiruvananthapuram and Kazhakuttom and later in Parassala, Neyattinkara, Nedumangad and Attingal.
In the capital, the department has collected over Rs. 20 crore through e-payment since its launch.
A top official said 95 per cent of the motor vehicle tax of the new non-transport vehicles being registered now comes through e-payment.
Efforts are on to launch it across the State before May-end to mark the second anniversary of the government. As the server of the department is full, one of the IT Mission will be made use of.
The e-payment can be made through www.keralamvd.gov.in, the department’s website. Various services offered are listed on the website and forms can be downloaded.
A motorist can submit the application directly at the counter in the department’s office on making e-payment.
Automated services
The department has implemented the FAST (Fully Automated Services of Transport Department) project.
Its head office in the capital, four zonal offices, 18 RTOs, 55 sub-RTOs and 19 check-posts have been computerised and all services are done through computers.
e-payment had lessened the workload of the department, which does not have staff commensurate with the increasing work from the proliferation of vehicles.
Besides, the online transaction has helped minimise mistakes in driving licences, registration certificates and other documents issued by the department as the entries are made by the applicants themselves.
The department is working out modalities to collect tax and fees of transport vehicles also through e-payment, the official said.
Database
The lack of a database of old vehicles, acceptance of applications only if the insurance is paid and contribution to the driver’s welfare fund are the main hurdles.
