Bikalpa an alternative in collaboration with Makalu television, organized a stakeholder’s public forum on “Problems in acquiring motorcycle license and possible solutions” on 20th December, 2021 at Makalu Television’s studio. The panel discussion was organized based on the findings of the research paper published by Bikalpa, “Acquiring Driving License in Nepal : A Policy Fiasco”, authored by the research team of Bikalpa.
The objective of the program was to highlight the hassles faced by citizens while applying for a driving license and raise the issue to the concerned authorities for its addressal. Dr. Sandesh Das Shrestha, Professor and Media personality, moderated the discussion program. Among the panelists present were Mr. Ram Prasad Phuyal, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Province 1, Mr. Bhim Gautam, Director of Transport Management, Province 1, and Sarwagya Raj Pandey Research and Advocacy Officer, Bikalpa an Atlernative.
Distinguished Stakeholders included Mr. Dipendra Panjiyar Tharu, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from District Police Office, Biratnagar, Mr. Shiva Kumar Sharma from District Traffic Office. journalists from local and provincial Media, members of the Driving center association, Civil Society Members and many driving license aspirants also put their thoughts.
An excerpt of the program is given below.
The program began with Dr. Sandesh Das Shrestha highlighting the problems faced by the citizens while applying for a driving license and that it has only gotten worse since federalism. He pointed out the waiting time of more than 2 years for getting a license after having paid huge tax to buy a motorcycle and questioned why federalization hasn’t been simplify the process. Other questions raised during the event included the types of problems faced by the citizens while applying, when would the online application system become reliable, the causes behind such lackluster public service delivery of the transport office and when would the license offices be decentralized to each district or local governments.
From the audience, there were many queries and complains. Many license owners shared their bad experience at the transport office and unanimously highlighted two core issues: corruption and the institutionalization of middlemen/brokers. Matrika Niraula shared their experience of being forced to pay a middleman despite trying to get it done himself. Many opined that they have been driving without license because it was not practical to wait for years to get a license. Sushil Khandara shared their experience of being hit by a drunk person but had to instead had to pay for the damages because of not having a license. Rakesh Karn also asked when the waiting time of over 2 years be decreased, and will it ever become easier as in other countries. Satin Ghimire also asked if the state delibaretly wants to involve middlemen and hence made the procedure difficult. Also, another applicant blamed the government for having double standards by allowing people to buy a motorcycle without the need to have a license while making it difficult to get a driving license.
Mr. Gokul Thapa, representing the driving center association also asked the authorities to make it easier for them to register and provide service on behalf of the government to meet the demands of the public. He said that the private driving centers have well equipped infrastructures in various cities and are ready to work closely with the government.
Representatives from the traffic police Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma stressed that the traffic police is a regulating body and has to abide by the rules. However, they do understand the common person’s problem but will have to enforce law as per the book. He highlighted that section 45 of the Province Vehicle and Transport act makes it mandatory for drivers to get a license to drive vehicle and police will have to enforce it. Mr. Dipendra Panjiyaar Tharu, District Superintendent of Police asked about the various types of issues faced by the applicants and told that allowing motorcycles to be used for conducting a business is not in the interest of public safety and the law doesn’t allow private vehicles to be used for business purpose.
Mr. Ram Prasad Phuyal talked mostly about the inability of the provincial ministry to act due to lack of funds from the center. Despite federalization, the federal government still not provided the autonomy especially since there is lack of manpower in the offices of provincial ministries. Also, in case of driving license, the provincial transport department must follow directives made by federal transport department. He also told that the ministry has been expediating works to start its own online portal and has also asked the federal government for authority to print its own license card.
Mr. Bhim Gautam talked about the procedural hassles and attributed the delay to the Covid1-19 outbreak. However, he acknowledged that there was a need to decentralize the license offices to respective offices and has told that he has been following up the current situation and protests, following which they have begun providing service in Illam and Udayapur districts and will soon open license offices in Dhankuta and Morang districts. He also informed that the Koshi office is issuing 400 driving license per day. He also announced during the event that since last month, Province 1 became the first province to implement a newer and less stringent trail examination system wherein the applicants will only have to score 70% to qualify for driving license. Also, now an applicant can attempt the trail examination for up to 3 times in 17 months. However, he also pointed out the need to remain strict with providing driving license for motorcycle because it was an unsafe means of transportation and responsible for 74% of the accidents in the country. Also, the government has been trying to discourage such means of transportation especially among small business owners.
Mr. Sarwagya Raj Pandey stressed that driving license is directly related to livelihood and has prevented youths from being competitive. Also, due to lack of public transportation, it is the only means of transportation for most, and has allowed more independence to people living in rural areas and mostly women, who find it secured. The current situation will only impede the confidence of people on the government and federalization and needed to be taken seriously. He also talked about including private sectors like the driving centers in helping government to meet the backlog since many foreign countries also allow private driving schools to take examination under the government’s supervision. He also talked about the need of the motorcycle for small business for Nepali entrepreneurs to remain competent as other types of vehicles were prohibitively expensive and Nepali entrepreneurs wouldn’t be able to compete with others. He urged the authorities to take the current failure as an opportunity to try to be creative and work for gaining public trust in the institution.
Finally the program was concluded with vote of thanks to all the panelist members . Also, Program Coordinator Mr suman Rai handed delegation Paper and Research Paper to the Panelist member and other Stakeholders. 45 participant’s attended the program. The program was held from 2:10 pm to 3:30 pm . The program News was also covered by different online and New print Media.
News Link Covered by different online and print Media.
https://ourbiratnagar.net/2021/12/161738?fbclid=IwAR1Nh3-Bq11lBXO5hZEEpSMgtgtCn8sNIr2AtsiA7hhcVtEmhRRocxEV7NQ
