Delhi Cabinet nod for Smart Card-based Driving Licences

New Delhi, Jul 23 (UNI) The Delhi Cabinet today gave its nod for issue of Smart Card-Based driving licenses in Delhi as per the instructions of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

A Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, also gave its nod for implementation of ACP Schemes to teachers of aided schools besides clearing a proposal for issuance of certain directions for securing compliance of Labour Laws while outsourcing certain services in the government and the bodies under the control of the government.

Briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Ms Dikshit said that Smart Card-Based driving licenses will now be issued in Delhi as per directions of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).

The Ministry vide gazette notification dated August 10, 2008 has embodied the Smart Cards specifications in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to ensure their uniform applicability throughout the country. A number of other states have already implemented the Smart Card Based License issue system as per above referred gazette notification.

''In Delhi on an average approximately five lakh licenses are being issued every year. It is therefore imperative to have a robust, efficient and reliable system,''Ms Dikshit said.

The existing contract with M/s HCL Info Systems Ltd expired in December, 2003. The same was extended a number of times and is continuing till date. The new arrangement would provide complete front-end system at all Zonal Offices.

It has been decided to enter into contract with Delhi Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) for Smart Card Based Driving License Issue System for a period of 10 years. DIMTS is a joint venture company with 49.94 per cent equity of Delhi Government.

There is a provision of capturing computerised photograph and ghost photograph, fingerprint impression, signature of applicant and other required data for the preparation of Smart Card Based Driving License.

With the intrduction of the new system, it would be impossible to issue driving license to a person without him actually being present in the Zonal Office. The system will be designed in such a manner that fingerprint for one-to-one matching and other details of the License Holder will be used as Key Fields for verifying particulars of the License Holder.

This will prevent issue of duplicate and fraudulent licenses.

The system will have a graphic user interface and will ensure data integrity, shared access and security, reliability/retrieval of stored data and data consistency. Further, a hot list will be prepared for impounded driving licenses. This information shall be available online to all the Zonal Offices.

Ms Dikshit said that to ensure transparency and eliminate malpractices and middlemen, touts, agents, brokers, it has been decided to deliver licenses and other documents by courier at respective address of the applicant. It came to the notice of the Department that by furnishing false and fabricated address proof or by impersonating, some unscrupulous elements get license or documents made in wrong name that would be difficult if documents are couriered and delivered only after agency verifying the address proof and identity of the applicant.

It would ensure that documents reach the right hand and at the declared address. Presently, documents like driving license, registration certificate for motor vehicle, permit for state and contract carriages etc are being handed over to the applicant by hand.

Ms Dikshit said that the Cabinet has given its approval for implementation of Assured Career Progress (ACP) Scheme with effect from August 9, 1999 to teachers of aided schools under Directorate of Education. The same benefit has already been sanctioned in case of teachers working in government schools.

In another decision, the Cabinet has given its nod to a proposal for issuance of certain directions for securing compliance of the Labour Laws while outsourcing of certain services in the government and the Bodies under the control of government.

The various departments of the city-government and the Autonomous Bodies under the control of the government have been procuring various services like sanitation, security, catering, paramedics, data entry, vehicles etc. It has been noticed that due to certain deficiencies in selection process of the bidding service provider, the government suffers on two accounts; firstly the quality of service available is of sub-standard; and secondly the manpower engaged by the service provider do not receive minimum social security in terms of wages, leave and provident fund, bonus etc.

Ms Dikshit expressed confidence that with implementation of approved directions compliance of the Labour Laws would be ensured.

UNI AR AB HT1940