22 May,2011 08:58 AM IST | | Bipin Kumar singh
Cabbies claim the new RTO rule of sending smart cards via post has resulted in cancellation of licences
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) recently introduced a new rule according to which driving licences were sent to applicants via speed post. The RTO is happy that the rule had reduced the number of bogus applications they receive. However, the Mumbai Taximen's Association is crying fowl. The association claims that the new rule has resulted in a decline in the number of taxis plying on Mumbai's roads since the cards are often sent to old addresses where the applicants are no longer available, resulting in cancellation of licences.
"People blame taxi unions and cabbies for not operating taxis. But that is due to the changing rules of the RTO. There are fewer taxis on the roads since new drivers are not getting their licenses," said A L Quadros, president of the Mumbai Taximen's Association.
"Most of these new drivers come from outside the city and do not have a permanent address since they reside in rented houses or chawls. The new rule of sending smart cards to the original address is creating problems for cabbies. The RTO must be liberal with new cabbies and should accept their temporary residential proof during verification," Quadros said.
As per the new rule, applicable from April 1, licenses are sent to drivers on their postal address, instead of handing it over in person to the drivers at the RTO. Earlier, drivers would often approach unauthorised agents to help them get a license or renew an old one.
"People who are now protesting against the new rule, either have not listed the original address in the application or they are intentionally withholding the original address. As a competent authority, we cannot hand over a sensitive document like a driving license without following protocol since it can be misused," said Maharastra Transport Commissioner Dilip Jadhav.
