‘In Himachal Pradesh, auto traders in a fix over vehicle registration policy’

DHARAMSHALA: The business community dealing in auto trade in Himachal Pradesh is in a fix over the registration of new vehicles. Both the buyer and sellers of vehicles are facing the trouble since the government has transferred registration process to the auto traders under online services. This has increased the cost of business and added to the hassle for customers.
Sandeep Kumar, a dealer of two wheeler vehicles dealing in various parts of state said that since March 1st this year, the state government has transferred the process of registration certificates (RCs) to the auto traders.
“The move has left everybody in a fix as in government sector many clerks are not familiar to this online process. This has lead to a tussle between sellers and buyers due to the delay in preparation of RCs” he said.
During the purchase of new vehicle, customers deposit their documents with auto dealers to get RCs. The dealers further upload it on government sites and after online verification by regional government offices the dealers get RCs for issuance.
But unfamiliarity of process at the government offices often leads to delay in issuance of certificate, this triggers brawls between customers and dealers.
Sahil Arora, a customer who purchased a new car last month told TOI that he had to pay extra charges to get his RC at the earliest but despite that it is still awaited and there is no deadline issued to him for the same.
“I was told to pay 1700 rupees at the dealership to get my RC, but still the staff there is trading blames over government officers for not a getting reply over my RC. There is no value of time. Government should train the staff well before launching such schemes,” he said.
Ruing losses, an owner of car dealership requesting anonymity said that this government move has added burden to auto traders.
“Businesses are already running in losses due to market slump. Further, for this RC process we are forced to hire at least four employees. Adding to it, heavy printers, and high speed internet has become a necessity. This has increased our cost of business” he said adding that traders are looking for a policy amendment in this regard now.
When contacted, Bhupinder Pathak a government official at national informatics center assisting this online process told TOI that they have come to know about these issues and have already conveyed it to the concerned departments about resolutions in this regard.