the goan I network
MARGAO
Apprehending law and order situation at the Margao RTO office over the poor arrangements in place for the installation of the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), Leader of the Opposition Digmabar Kamat on Wednesday said the government will have to take the public into confidence before empowering private dealers to install the HSRPs at a higher price.
The Leader of the Opposition, who visited the RTO office in response to complaints lodged by motorists, found to his shock the total chaos in the office over HSRP registration. He called up Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and Director of Transport from the RTO office and conveyed the sentiments of the citizens over the poor arrangements in place.
He demanded to know why vehicle owners from Quepem should come all the way to Margao for the replacement of the number plates, while demanding that the government open a centre at Tilamol.
Kamat also demanded on-line registration of applications for the installation of the HSRPs, and opening of additional counters on the ground instead of forcing vehicle owners to stand in queue for hours at the RTO office.
He later told the media that the agency has agreed to open four counters on the grounds, with two counters exclusively for senior citizens and physically-handicapped persons. “During discussions, we have made it clear that the persons called for the installation of the HSRP should not be made to wait for hours,” he said.
The Opposition leader has also called upon the agency to increase the number of installations to 400 per day by deploying additional manpower.
When the media pointed out that the government has decided to authorize private dealers to take up the work of HSRP, Kamat shot back saying whether the private dealers will install the number plates at the price fixed during the tendering.
“The government should find out whether private dealers will do the job of installing the HSRP as per the notified rates. If not, let the government seek the reaction of the public before taking a call,” Kamat added. Private dealers
to be roped in
PANAJI: With the contractor signed up by the Transport Department to service vehicle owners for installation of the HSRP unable to bear the load, the government has now decided to rope in local dealers from across the State.
Vehicle owners will now have to shell out Rs 400 instead of the original Rs 300 and the additional Rs 100 will be paid to the private dealers who come on board.
Getting the HSRP fixed has become a herculean task for vehicle owners who have to spend hours at the various RTO sub-offices to complete the formalities and get the mandatory HSRPs fixed.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said, the Transport Secretary has been issued directions to speed up the process by roping in private dealers and move the file immediately.
Godinho said, the decision was taken to provide an option to vehicle owners to speed up the process by paying an additional Rs 100.
The contractor signed up by the Transport department will have to stitch tie-ups with the private dealers for the decision to take off.
