Assistant Regional Transport Officer Poonch Basharat Mahmood along with his team of officials organised an awareness program at Busstand Poonch to educate the transporters and general public about the recent amendments in Contract Carriage J&K Permit rules.
Drivers and Transporters from all over the district attended the programme. The ARTO said that the aim of amendments was to make the process easy and pro people wherein the J&K UT has decided to omit the grant of Letter of Authority which was earlier mandatory for registration of commercial vehicles.
The permit procedures have been simplified as now onwards an applicant can apply directly for the permit online on the transport department website after registration of vehicles under contract carriages segment.
Earlier, the applicant had to apply for a Letter of Authority after the approval of RTA/STA, which was mandatory for registration of vehicles and subsequent issuance of Route Permit under any commercial segment.
As per latest amendment in J&K Motor Vehicles Rules, the applicant can directly approach any concerned dealer, along with requisite formalities for registration of any commercial vehicle in compliance with BS-VI Emission norms (Approved Models Only) under Contract Carriage Segment (for Built up Vehicles).
In case of registration of Vehicles with drive away Chassis, the registration will be done by concerned RTO/ARTO Office. After the registration of vehicle under Contract Carriage segment the applicant can apply for issuance of permit online with Domicile Certificate, Registration Certificate of the vehicle for which Route Permit is sought, Present Address Proof, Character Certificate from concerned Police Station, Copy of Driving License of Owner or any person proposed to be engaged as driver, Declaration in an affidavit with regard to the number of transport vehicles already owned by the applicant registered in the applicant's name/firm/Company/Co-operative Society along with their Permit Numbers (for Contract Carriages).
Besides, a Declaration in an Affidavit confirming the availability of parking space either private or public for existing fleet as well as for the new vehicle for which the applicant desires to obtain a Route permit.
It was further clarified that these rules shall be implemented for registration of new vehicle under J&K Contract Carriage segment after the amendments in J&K Motor Vehicle Rules and shall not be applicable in case of those vehicles where Letter of Authority has already been issued as well as any vehicle for which All India Tourist Permit has been issued and permit holder applies for its conversion to local permit after a period of twelve (12) years.