Massive Backlog of Driving Licenses and Registration Certificates in Punjab

In Punjab, nearly six lakh motorists are waiting for their driving licenses (DLs) and registration certificates (RCs) due to a stalled printing process. The issue arose after a private company, M/s Smart Chip Private Limited, prematurely exited its contract with the Punjab Transport Department in November last year, months before its scheduled completion in July. This unexpected departure left the government unable to provide DLs and RCs on smart cards, creating a significant backlog.

The state prints nearly 10,000 smart cards daily, amounting to around 50,000 per week and two lakh per month. This disruption has caused a piling up of over six lakh pending cases. Despite clearing a backlog of 50,000 recently, the government is still struggling to meet the growing demand.

The Punjab government attempted to resolve the crisis by hiring 140 former employees of the private vendor and seeking smart cards from the same company. However, the company refused to supply the required materials. The tendering process faced multiple delays and even ended up in litigation, further complicating matters.

During a Vidhan Sabha session, AAP MLA Gurdit Singh raised concerns about the delay. Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar assured the house that the backlog would be cleared within a month, but opposition leaders questioned the feasibility of this promise.

As a temporary solution, authorities have instructed police to accept digital versions of DLs and RCs from DigiLocker and mParivahan. However, many residents, especially in rural areas, lack access to these digital platforms, making it crucial for the government to resolve the issue soon.