Indore : When Software Engineer Anjali Jain reached the Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Saturday to avail Centre’s scheme of issuing free licences to women, she was disappointed. The officials turned her away, with some taking about why should one go for free licences. The Union Government had announced in the budget that the licenses of the women will be made free from April 1 and the step was taken to empower the women.
But, the announcement couldn’t come to reality yet and the RTO officials are waiting for the official orders from the government. “We are not looking for free schemes. But, if the government has made any announcement, it should be implemented,” Anjali told Free Press. “I was going to apply for the driving license in February, but my family members asked me to wait for one more month to get the license for free,” she said.
Anjali is not alone inquiring about the scheme. The RTO sees around 10 women every day, seeking to know why the scheme is not implemented. Nidhi Jaiswal, resident of Sudama Nagar, claimed that she was told at the RTO that it was not possible to implement the scheme. “Agents in the RTO office told me that even if the scheme of free licenses will be implemented then also the applicant have to pay fees of smart link company. Nobody in RTO has given us proper reply about when it will be started,” Nidhi said.
Acting RTO Archana Mishra claimed that despite being ready to implement the scheme, her office was awaiting official nod.
Deputy Transport Commissioner MS Kanodia said, “As per our knowledge, the work is under process with the law department. Notification of the scheme will be done soon by the government. We are ready to provide free licenses and we can implement it immediately after the orders.”
