The teething troubles over the implementation of the new software programs that include “Vahan” and “Sarathi”, combined with the shortage of manpower have hit the Motor Vehicles Department in Ernakulam hard.
Officials of the department said that they were facing several difficulties in ensuring the smooth functioning of the new software applications, which were fully-integrated across the country three months ago. Many of the department staff lacked idea about it and they continued to face technical issues. With people yet to gain familiarity with the new programs, the number of licences and registration certificates pending has gone up, they said.
Under Sarathi, licence renewal, duplicate licence renewal, addition of class, international driving permit, learner’s licence and licence-related fee and charges are covered. Vehicle registration, permit, taxes, fitness and enforcement comes under Vahan.
A recent inspection by sleuths of the Vigilance department had found that there was delay in the issue of temporary permits from various offices under the MVD in the district. Senior officials said that issuing a temporary permit took less than a minute in the earlier system while it required 32 clicks on the computer under the new software.
“Now we need 10 minutes to issue a temporary permit. The work load has gone up following the directive that the temporary permits have to be taken from offices in areas where you have taken delivery of the vehicle. An office that used to handle 10 temporary permits have to now take care of an average 60 temporary permits. The work load has gone up while the staff strength has remained as earlier,” said a senior official.
The MVD officials said that Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors were also involved in daily checking of vehicles in addition to the office work. “We also process the requests received at the fast-track counters with the limited staff available,” they said.
The officials suggested improved the training for the motor vehicles department staff on the new software applications, besides upgrading the facilities and systems available in their offices. The department, which interacts with the public on a daily basis and handles various aspects related to the increasing number of vehicles, required modernisation. The government can consider appointing a commission to recommend changes in the way it works, they said.
