Government is contemplating to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in all types of commercial vehicles in the State to check violations like overloading, over-speeding, and plying against route permits etc.This was disclosed in a review meeting of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport Departments chaired by Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan here today.The Minister said that the initiative aims to ensure security and safety of passengers and is being introduced in the State shortly for which all the commercial vehicles will have to install GPS in their vehicles. He said in this connection control unit is being setup in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu which would be monitored regularly to get the desired results.The meeting was informed that Motor Vehicle Department has realized an amount of Rs. 54.72 crore as registration fee, fine, challan, etc during the year 2013-14.
The meeting was informed that High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) have been installed in 04 lakh vehicles in the State since 2012 besides process of fixing of such plates in remaining 07 lakh vehicles is on. The meeting was informed that presently plates are being fixed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 series vehicles. However, no fitness certificate is being issued to those commercial vehicles which have not fitted HSRP so far, the meeting was informed.
The meeting was further informed that 850 of different types of vehicles with age of 25 years have been declared condemned. It was also informed in the meeting that 3800 applications for Letter of Authority (LA) have been received by the concerned department out of which 850 have been issued.
The meeting was further informed that Government is contemplating to provide smart cards instead of present paper licence to the drivers. The Smart Card would be fixed with a chip which will contain all necessary records pertaining to both the vehicle and the driver.
The Minister directed the RTOs and ARTOs to ensure that fare meters are installed in every Auto-Rikshaw and it is functional so that the passengers are not being overcharged. He also directed to check the menace of overloading in matadors which has now became a great problem for the general masses.
While taking review of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, the Minister emphasized the need to further improvement in the system of stock and supply of food grains in the State.For streamlining the system, Ch. Ramzan said that 2062 new ration sale centres are being setup in the State out of which 1763 locations have been identified. He said the sale centres would be made functional shortly. He said the aim and objective of opening new sale centres is to facilitate the consumers ultimately.
The Minister said that under additional BPL programme as many as 28759 tonnes of ration is being provided to 95861 families in the State since June 2014. He said following the complaints from various parts of the State, a Special Task Force is being constituted which will make surprise visits and checks anywhere to see the whether the deserving people are getting the ration.
The meeting was informed that there are 6002 MTs of rice, 4062 MTs wheat, 288MTs atta and 2746 MTs sugar available in CA&PD stores whiles as 45382 MTs of rice and 19883 Mts of wheat are available in FCI godowns. Besides this as many as 51500 cylinders of LPG are available while as 402441 cylinders have been issued to the consumers ending July.
Commissioner Secretary, Transport, Mr. Bipul Pathak gave a detailed resume of the functioning of Transport department while as Secretary CA&PD, Mr. Baseer Ahmed Khan apprised the Minister about the functioning of CA&PD department. He said there is sufficient quota of food grains available in the Godowns and Sales outlets which is adequate to suffice the needs of the people in Kashmir Valley.The Minister stressed upon the officers to work with sense of responsibility in providing all facilities to the people.(GNS)