Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Govt orders time-bound clearance of pending RCs, driving licences
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 1, 2026:The Punjab government has directed officials to ensure the swift and time-bound clearance of pending Registration Certificates (RCs) and Driving Licence (DL) applications, in a bid to strengthen public service delivery and reduce citizen inconvenience.
Punjab Finance, Transport, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema chaired a high-level review meeting of the Transport Department, attended by senior officials, including Secretary Transport Varun Roojam, State Transport Commissioner Parneet Shergill, and other Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and Regional Transport Office (RTO) representatives.
During the meeting, the minister took serious note of the backlog in applications pending at the verification and approval stages. He directed officials to expedite the clearance process and ensure that delays are addressed as a priority.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Cheema said the administration led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is focused on delivering services within stipulated timelines. He ordered strict monitoring of applications that have exceeded prescribed limits, warning that accountability would be fixed for unnecessary delays.
Officials have been asked to compile detailed data on pending cases, along with reasons for delays, to streamline processes and improve efficiency within the department.
Highlighting the push towards digital governance, the minister reviewed the status of faceless and contactless services for driving licences. He instructed authorities to closely track applications submitted through these platforms to ensure their timely disposal.
Addressing public grievances, Cheema emphasized that the backlog in printing RCs and DLs at the centralised printing branch must be cleared on priority, noting that such delays directly impact citizens.
The meeting also discussed measures to improve road safety, including enhanced deployment and monitoring of highway traffic cameras across the state. Additionally, the department is working on optimising public transport schedules by reviewing existing timetables and identifying gaps in route coverage to improve connectivity and reliability.