MVD struggles to print driving licences, applicants left in limbo

Srinagar, Aug 09: A growing concern has emerged as the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) of Jammu and Kashmir grapples with a significant setback in its operations, leading to a delay in the printing and issuance of driving licences.
Over the past several months, a backlog has developed, affecting applicants who had applied for driving licences, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
Despite the passage of time, those who eagerly awaited their driving licences find themselves caught in a frustrating situation as the department’s inability to print and deliver licences persists.
Vikar Ahmad Malik, an applicant from Srinagar told Rising Kashmir that he was expected to have a driving licence by June end, but the prolonged delay has left him frustrated and perplexed.
He said this situation has not only resulted in inconvenience but has also generated a sense of dissatisfaction and disillusionment among individuals who have diligently followed the proper application procedure.
“We have put our trust in the system, and it’s disheartening to see it falter,” Malik said.
The delay has raised concerns among applicants who had anticipated receiving their licences well within the stipulated time frame.
Applicants who adhered to the due process and fulfilled the necessary requirements are now facing unnecessary obstacles in their pursuit of legal driving documentation.
Similarly in Jammu, the applicants who had applied 1 year back for licences are yet to get their driving licences due to printing material shortage.
“I submitted my application and completed all the necessary formalities a year ago, and I expected to have my driving licence in December last year,” said Rajesh Kumar, an applicant frustrated by the delay.
“The shortage of printing materials has caught us off guard, and it’s disappointing to face such an unforeseen hurdle in a process that should have been straightforward,” he said.
Officials from the Motor Vehicle Department have acknowledged the issue and attributed the delays to a variety of challenges, including technical glitches, administrative bottlenecks, and operational constraints.
Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, Syed Shanawaz Bukhari said that the department is working to identify and address the root causes of the delay to expedite the printing and distribution of pending driving licences.
“Every effort is being made to rectify the situation swiftly. We are planning to outsource the printing driving licences, so that applicants would not face such issues in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile RTO Jammu, Pankaj Mangotra acknowledged that the department is facing dearth of printing material from the past 7 -8months due to that they are unable to print DLs.
“Tenders for yet are not floated and we are hopeful that the issue would be resolved in the next one month in Jammu region,” he said.
Another official from the department revealed that despite charging Rs 200-250 driving licence fees and postal charges from applicants annually.
“The same amount is being collected by the Finance Department and then they release it in the last month of March and advise MVD department to purchase the printing material which becomes more problematic to float the tenders,” he said.
The official acknowledged that it is the government’s fault and such things take years to process in the departments.
“More than 9-10 thousand licences have been delayed due to this process and the department is mulling to outsource the entire printing and postal process, so that applicants will not face any issue in future,” he added.