Minister of State for Transport Sunil Sharma today directed the transport authorities to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to prevent accidents besides focusing on generating mass awareness among stakeholders regarding various road safety measures. The Minister said this while chairing a meeting to review the functioning of the Motor Vehicle Department here today. The meeting was attended by Secretary Transport R.K Bhagat, Special Secretary Transport Itrat Hussain, Transport Commissioner J&K Parvaiz Iqbal Khateeb, RTOs of Jammu and Kathua. He directed the transport authorities to focus on enhanced monitoring by the District Road Safety Committee for checking overloading, rash driving etc. which pose a serious threat to precious human lives, adding that any laxity in this regard will not be tolerated. The minister also directed the officers of the department to ensure strict enforcement of the traffic laws and rules to deter habitual violators .The Minister also asked the ARTOs to ensure fitness certification of the vehicles within their jurisdictions strictly as per the laid norms. He said that adequate steps will be taken to strengthen the Transport Department with modern facilities so that better and efficient transport services are provided to the people especially those living in hilly and far flung areas of the state. Underscoring the need for immediate completion of the computerization process in Transport Department, Sunil Sharma directed the officers to take necessary steps in this regard so that efficiency, transparency and promptness in the working of the department is ensured. He while directing the concerned authorities to ensure strict adherence to the timelines under the Public Services Guarantee Act for providing services like learners licenses, driving licenses, Registration of vehicles,fitness of vehicles and renewal of driving licenses to the people reiterated that there will be zero tolerance for corruption in the department and any one found indulging in such practices will be dealt with iron hands. Earlier, Transport Commissioner J&K Parvaiz Iqbal Khateeb, while highlighting the achievements made by the department during the year 2015-16 informed that revenue receipt of the department was Rs 15696.72 lakh and 5274 route permits were issued during the year. He also informed that fixation of HSRP has been made compulsory for the new vehicles at the time of registration while in case of old vehicles it is compulsory at the time of renewal /transfer of documents & issuance of fitness certificate.
