PUNE: It has been observed that agents at the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) have been insisting that driving licence applicants should attach a copy of their Aadhaar card with the application. However, RTO officials said that it is not mandatory to attach the photocopy of the Aadhaar card.
The Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill (2019) has been passed in Lok Sabha. It is yet to pass the last hurdle in Rajya Sabha. The Bill says that a copy of the Aadhaar card will be made mandatory for procuring a driving licence.
However, applicants visiting the RTO are being told by agents that the Aadhaar number is compulsory to get a new driving licence.
A majority of the applicants avail the services of agents.
Every day, thousands of applicants visit the office for various reasons. The applicants who apply for the learners’ licence are unaware of the procedures. Hence, they approach agents for a smoother work process.
Sunil Gaikwad (19), a resident of Warje, did not know that he had to submit a photocopy of Aadhaar card. He approached the department through an agent who had imparted basic two-wheeler driving lessons to him. He was told that the government has made the Aadhaar mandatory for any application.
“I learnt to ride a two-wheeler with the agent. I had to apply for a learning licence in May this year.
Initially, I expressed my inability to submit a photocopy of the Aadhaar card. Later, he told me that he would arrange for my licence without the Aadhaar number. Now, it is almost July end and I am still waiting to go through learners’ licence procedure,” Sunil told Sakal Times.
“I had submitted all other documents, including my birth certificate and proof of the residential address with photographs. Whenever I approach the agent, he says there is some slot issue with the website,” he added.
When contacted, the agent who runs a driving school said that the officials from the RTO are not accepting the hard copy of the application without the Aadhaar number. “We apply for learners’ licence online. As per procedures, the applicant has to be present with proper valid documents. They are demanding the Aadhaar number,” said agent Vijay Kshirsagar.
Sources from the RTO said, “Applications and documents submitted by agents have the photocopy of Aadhaar because they ask the applicants to submit it.”
“As per the rule, it is not mandatory. We are not asking them to submit the Aadhaar number. The applicants need not worry and can apply without the Aadhaar number as well,” said Deputy RTO Vinod Sagre.
