The Odisha government, on Thursday, decided to give three more months so that people can get their vehicular documents ready against strict checking. The first spell of relaxation since September was to end on 30th November.
Last week, Odisha transport Minister Padmanav Behera had forewarned of strict checking of motor vehicle rules from December 1. But, the Odisha government revised the decision today after assessing the situation. Hundreds of thousands of applicants in Odisha are still waiting for their documents.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik granted another three months to the motor vehicle users to get their required documents ready as per the new Motor Vehicle Act, said Padmanava Behera.
The high-fine based MV Act, when came to force In September, rocked the state. Traffic rule offenders bore unprecedentedly high fine under it. Instances of violent reaction erupted. Then CM Naveen Patnaik ordered considerable leniency in the checking operations for three months on September 10.
RTOs faced the rush of work
Crowds thronged the Road Transport Offices (RTO) in the state for Driving License and other documents. Nine lakh applications for learning license hit the RTOs in the last three months. As per a statement of the Transport Minister, the agency could provide 5.45lakh licenses in this period. About two and a half lakh applications are still under process. There are other lakhs of applications for registration, insurance, fitness, etc in the RTOs. But, the system is not well equipped to take on the challenge.
However, the Government had made some arrangements to increase productivity. RTOs opened additional counters; extended works in the holidays. RTO camps also came up for the licenses aspirants in the state. But, the task prevailed upon all the endeavors.
DEMAND FOR EXTENTION OF RELAXATION PERIOD CAME FROM THE ODISHA ASSEMBLY.
As the deadline for the breather is approaching, the issue made it to the assembly discussion. On Thursday, BJD MLA Debi Mishra sought the government to extend the relaxation period to three more months. He cited the prevailing rush of work in the RTOs as the reason for his call. Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahainipati also shared a similar view in the assembly.
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