Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, alongside AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, introduced faceless RTO Services on Wednesday to benefit the public. The Chief Minister symbolically locked the Regional Transport Authority (RTO) office to signify the closure of a corrupt era. Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi, stated that the people of Punjab had become subservient to bureaucratic corruption since Independence. He emphasized that the state has now been liberated, allowing citizens to obtain their driving licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and other services simply by calling 1076. Kejriwal remarked, “Today marks a day of liberation from corruption, inconvenience, and intermediaries,” asserting that this initiative is unprecedented not just in India but globally.
He described the launch of faceless RTO services as a historic event for Punjab, equating it to a digital revolution within the Transport Department, as citizens will receive services at their homes. He noted that 56 essential services concerning driving licenses and vehicle registrations are now entirely faceless, accessible through Seva Kendras or by calling the 1076 helpline. Previously, citizens had to resort to visiting cyber cafes or completing applications online to acquire licenses or certificates, often requiring multiple trips to RTO offices for document verification, which was particularly burdensome for those in remote areas, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Chief Minister Mann acknowledged the significant inconvenience faced by individuals at RTO offices, stating that this new initiative aims to eliminate such issues and the corruption that has affected the public. He reiterated the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Mann also highlighted that previous revenue reforms had greatly benefited the people, empowering them significantly. He assured that none of the employees would be dismissed, and their services would be appropriately utilized in other departments according to their qualifications.