TRANSPORT DEPTT: To start e-challaning of vehicles from next month

Chandigarh, November 27, 2012: Punjab is all set to become first state in the country in which transport department would be e-challaning the vehicles for various compoundable offences from next month.

Accompanied by Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today reviewed the performance of Transport Department and saw the new model of e-challaning being introduce by the department next month. Under the new policy each DTO would have handheld computerised device and while challaning the vehicle DTO would enter the registration no of vehicle and offence committed by it. The device that is connected to center server of Transport Department would automatically calculate the fine and give the option to the driver to pay the challan money through credit or debit card on the spot or by cash. Each day a computerized summary of each official would be generated and challan money would be deposited same day in the treasury.

Appreciating the system, Badal said that while introducing an element of transparency and convenience for the citizens, the most important aspect of this system was doing away with discretion of imposing fine that breed corruption.

Kohar informed that Transport Department is going to add 500 new buses, 300 in Punbus and 200 in PRTC.

Asking Transport Department to make every bus a profit center, Badal said that each bus should be allotted a specific number and its profit and loss account, income, expenditure, maintenance should be calculated individually and chronic loss making buses should be identified and suitable corrective actions be taken.

Seeking a monthly report of performance of every transport depot, Badal said that each depot manager be given two months to improve the working of his depot otherwise be shunted out. He said that there was no scope for lethargy and inefficiency in the department and department has to run efficiently as a corporate body.

Stressing the need for introducing e-ticketing in hundred percent buses, Badal said that leakage of revenue has to be strictly checked with iron hand. Expressing concern over reports of automobile dealers charging extra money from consumers for issuing Registration Certificates of vehicles, Badal asked all DTOs to conduct surprise checks and launch a drive against in the media informing public that they don’t have to pay a single penny extra to the auto dealers for RCs.

Prominent amongst those were present in the meeting included Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Ajay Kumar Mahajan (both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy CM), Mandeep Singh, Secretary Transport and all General Managers and DTOs of the state.