MANGALURU: The transport department has introduced online system of issuing Learners License Registration (LLR), Driving License (DL) and others since June 1 and the automation was expected to provide better service to the citizens. But in Mangaluru, not more than 60 candidates can take LLR test on any given day. Thanks to severe staff crunch that has hit the functioning of the RTO.
While sanctioned strength is 98 for Mangaluru RTO, at present it is managing with the skeletal staff of just 32 and the shortage is over 60 percent. What's worse, despite being a major city of the state, the post of RTO has fallen vacant since the last 3 years. There are just 2 Senior inspectors (sanctioned 8), three inspectors (14), one ARTO (2).
Further, in place of 12 First Division Assistants (FDA), there are only 3 working, 2 Superintendents (3), one Treasury Officer (2) while two posts of auditors is vacant. Due to staff crunch, the authorities are forced to limit the number of people applying online to take LLR to 60 a day.
On an average, the office gets 80-120 applications for LLR a day. The online system has been designed to call only 60 applicants a day for LLR test. If remaining applicants will be given slots in the subsequent days.
"This in a way has defeated the purpose. In the manual system, RTO was supposed to issue LLR within seven days as per the timeframe set by Sakala. Now, there is not much improvement on that front," said Satish, an LLR applicant.
Further, sources said that the online system instead of quickening the pace of work has slowed it down.
"Our workforce consists of many seniors and they are not familiar with internet. Hence they are still learning the ropes and may need sometime to cope up with the new system. Its the young staff who are mostly managing the show now," he said.
In-charge Senior RTO John Misquith admitted that the staff shortage has affected their functioning to a certain extent. He said the vacant posts is expected to be filled soon as the process is on.