Taking a path-breaking e-Governance initiative, the Punjab Government on Friday launched an online version of the web based ‘Sarathi’ application (Sarathi on Web-SOW) for issuing learners’ and driving license at Fatehgarh Sahib.
The web-based programme would enable single-point presence for online submission of requests for learner’s license, driving license, driving school license and conduction license in the State.
Inaugurating the service, State Transport secretary Anurag Aggarwal, in the presence of the State Transport Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, said that this online service would support transparency and foster accountability for providing better services the citizens.
“In this online application, the applicant can fill in his form and particulars online subsequent to which application can be submitted on the portal. Once online application is submitted, a Unique Reference Number (URN) shall be generated, and the applicant can then check application’s status online with URN’s help,” said Aggarwal.
He said that the citizens would get better online quality of services benefit as they would be able to apply for driving or learning license. It will also enable users’ instant access of Dl/ll information on http://sarathi.nic.in or
punjabtransport.org.
Aggarwal said that the Transport department was moving with endeavour to minimise interaction of public with the authorities so that there was no harassment to the public at the windows.
“Immediately after submission of his online application, the applicant can get himself photographed in District Transport Office and after clearing driving test he would be issued driving licence,” he added.
Explaining the improvement in the conduct of driving test, Aggarwal said that earlier driving test was conducted on the road.
“Now, very soon, all big and small cities would have computerized state-of-art Driving Test Centres that would enable scientific conduct of driving test. To help the applicants, helpdesks would also be set up in all districts,” he said.
Giving the details of state-wide roll out of this plan, Aggarwal said that online service would be launched in Patiala, Ropar, Mohali on September 8 and within 15 days all districts would be covered by online service.