JAMMU DEC 06: Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa paid a surprise visit to the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Tax Collection Post at Lakhanpur in Kathua district on Saturday to closely examine its operations and enforcement standards.
During the inspection, she interacted with on-duty staff and directed the RTO Kathua to completely phase out manual cash handling, insisting that all tax payments be routed exclusively through the installed POS machines to ensure transparency and accountability. She further instructed officers to strictly bar the entry of out-of-UT vehicles lacking valid documents into Jammu and Kashmir via Lakhanpur.
Lavasa also reviewed the non-functional weighbridges under the State Taxes Department at the entry point and asked the RTO to prepare estimates and a DPR for repairing and upgrading at least two of them, stressing that operational weighbridges are crucial for cracking down on overloaded goods vehicles. RTO Kathua Surinder Paul Sharma highlighted the need for real-time data sharing by NHAI on overloaded vehicles crossing its weighbridges at Lakhanpur so that enforcement can prevent revenue leakage, to which the Secretary assured the issue would be taken up with the authority.
Speaking to the media later, the Secretary said that intensified checking drives will be conducted across the UT to curb traffic violations, adding that the Transport Department is focused on providing hassle-free services and safe travel for commuters. She warned that strict measures, including suspension of driving licences, route permits and registration certificates of habitual offenders, will be used to reduce road accidents, and announced that the MVD Kathua infrastructure will be upgraded to meet departmental needs.
