Pune: For quick service and to reduce the footfall at Regional Transport Office (RTO), an online facility was launched by the RTO, but it seems that it has not gone down well with autorickshaw drivers in the city. The autorickshaw drivers claim that they have to shell out anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for completion of the procedure, besides spending hours in the cyber cafe.
According to the autorickshaw unions, many auto drivers are paying extra money in the cyber cafe, as they do not know how to operate the system. They also claimed that though the online procedure was introduced to complete the work quickly, the online system is not glitch-free.
Meanwhile, RTO officials said that they do not have to go to a cyber cafe, as they can complete the procedure at Common Service Centres (CSC) that have been set up across the city. If these centres are charging more than the stipulated amount, then action can be taken against them. “The State transport department has introduced digital services, which is a good initiative. But they have to think about auto drivers who are not literate and lack knowledge in computers too. Because of their ignorance, cyber cafe owners are over charging them,” said the union members.
“Moreover, autorickshaw drivers are confused as the website does not give them proper information on how to apply. Similarly, RTO officials give new dates for online applications every day. When these auto drivers visit cyber cafes, they have to wait for long hours, as the procedures are slow,” said a union worker. The union is claiming that when drivers go for new vehicle permits, they first receive a certificate of temporary registration (CRTM) and after receiving the CRTM number, they receive an inward number, while the payment for CRTM is done after midnight.
Ramchandra Patole (54), an autorickshaw driver, said, “Earlier, it was easy as we used to go to RTO office and fill up the form and pay the amount for the process. But nowadays, it is creating problems. I don’t know computers. I had gone for renewal of my driving licence at a cyber-cafe, where it took almost two-and-a-half hours to complete the procedure.” Uttam Bhalerao, an autorickshaw driver, said, “I am illiterate and also do not know how to operate a computer. Whenever I go to a cyber cafe or any computer operator’s office, they charge Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 to fill online application.”
“These CSCs are opened for those who don’t know online procedures. In fact, unions have to come forward and inform auto drivers to take the advantage of these CSCs,” said an RTO official.
