Team Herald
MARGAO: A delegation of Salcete Truck Owners’ Association on Wednesday demanded a dedicated counter in the RTO Office at Arlem for submitting applications for the passing of commercial vehicles.
During a visit to the Citizens Service Centre in the Mathany Saldanha Complex, Margao, Association president Franky Gomes apprised Harish Amonkar, Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) Deputy General Manager of the inconvenience and loss in business caused to the commercial vehicle owners.
“The first day, we come here (Collectorate) to apply, on the second day we visit the RTO Office in Arlem to get the vehicles inspected, on the third day, the documents come back to the CSC and after 10 days we have to come back here to pay the fees. We spend 15 days in this process. Our request is to have a dedicated counter in the RTO Office at Arlem,” Franky said.
Franky informed Amonkar that he had visited the office of the Deputy Director of Transport. “The Deputy Director directed us to meet you with this request”, he said. When asked how long it will take to announce his decision; Amonkar said it is for the government to decide. Franky demanded that cash be accepted during the payment of fees.
“All don’t have debit/credit card and if the card doesn’t work, we lose business”, Franky said.
Presently, any amount more than Rs 2,000 has to be paid using a debit/credit card. Amonkar asked the association to make a representation so that he can follow it up.
Amonkar informed media persons that daily there are around 40 applications for passing which peaks in the first two weeks. “We have centralised all the services and we cannot function at two different places. Their grievance is that they have to go there(Arlem) and come here too. They don’t want to run to two different places. We will have to discuss with the concerned department since this decision is not in my hands”, said Amonkar and informed that currently there is no online system for applying for the passing of commercial vehicles.
