SRINAGAR: Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan Rasool, has stated that all vehicles entering Jammu and Kashmir, including those with All-India Permits, must adhere to local registration and permit regulations. The clarification comes amid allegations by some All-India Permit tourist vehicle operators that they were being unfairly prevented from operating in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that RTO Kashmir Qazi Irfan Rasool addressed these concerns on Saturday, asserting that transport authorities are uniformly enforcing rules across the sector. He refuted claims that operators were denied meetings with transport officials, explaining that while they might have approached the Transport Commissioner’s office, they did not necessarily meet the Commissioner directly.
During inspections and verification processes, transport authorities have identified several vehicles bearing out-of-state registration numbers, including those from Delhi, that were operating without completing the mandatory re-registration procedure. RTO Rasool highlighted that, according to regulations, vehicles brought from outside the Union Territory are required to be re-registered within a 12-month period. He noted that a significant number of vehicles had not complied with this prescribed procedure.
Addressing the assertion by some operators that All-India Permits allow unrestricted operation nationwide, RTO Rasool clarified that this interpretation is not entirely accurate, particularly for vehicles operating as contract carriages. He emphasized that such vehicles operating within Jammu and Kashmir are obligated to fulfill specific permit conditions and remit the requisite fees. Possessing an All-India Permit, he stated, does not exempt operators from adhering to the established regulatory framework of the region.
The RTO reiterated that all permit holders are mandated to comply with the conditions stipulated in their respective permits. He stressed that the enforcement measures undertaken by the department are designed to ensure full compliance with the law and maintain a regulated transport system.
Qazi Irfan Rasool extended an invitation to transport operators, emphasizing the department’s readiness to engage with stakeholders. He stated that operators are welcome to approach the department at any time to seek clarification regarding rules, procedures, and the legal provisions governing vehicle operations within Jammu and Kashmir. The RTO assured that the department’s doors remain open for such consultations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
