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| Sunday, 31 August 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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And now: fake licenses by ANTON NONIS Following the detection of a number of fake licenses, in several parts of the country the Commissioner of Motor Traffic, Gamini Senerath has requested the police to keep a close watch on the genuineness of driving licenses of motorists. To observers who have voiced doubts about the credentials of many motorists, the detection of the fake licenses, comes as no surprise. But, given the alarming rise in accidents, often attributed to bad driving, the detection is cause for concern. Especially since untrained drivers with no valid authority to drive, put the lives of other motorists and pedestrians at risk. According to Deputy Inspector General, Chandra Fernando, 19 forged temporary licenses had been detected in just one round-up at Peliyagoda recently. All such licenses contained the same serial number of rubber stamped forged signatures of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic. The motor traffic department issues temporary licenses to motorists who pass their driving test, until such time permanent card licenses are issued. The temporary licence is valid for six months. Fresh ones are issued in case of renewal. Fresh issues are also done in the event of misplacement, but is a tedious process. Police have detected most of the fake licenses to be temporary licenses. DIG Fernando said that he has referred all forged temporary licenses to Police Headquarters. A special crime unit has been set up to flush out further details. The detectives will investigate the thriving of the racket and where the documents are printed. Motor Traffic Commissioner, Gamini Senerath who is still new to the job told the `Sunday Observer' that there had been a backlog of more than 150,000 applications for licenses for 2002, when he took over office. An Analysis carried out by the motor traffic department and the police have revealed delays in processing driving licenses. One of the reasons for the emergence of the fake licence industry. Senerath believes that clearing the backlog with the shortest possible delay would go a long way in helping them tackle the fake licence menace. And accordingly increased the number of licence issued per month to 30,000 for the previous 15,000. This accelerated rate has enabled the department to deal with last years backlog. Commissioner Senerath has also requested the police not to accept any temporary licenses for the year 2002. All applications have been processed and drivers have been issued with permanent, card type licenses. However, at present there is a fresh accumulation of 100,000 applications for this year. But with the rate at which licenses are now being issued, the Department is confident of dealing fully with all such accumulations within the next three months. Senerath also said that steps are being taken to issue a licence within two weeks the most. Investigations into the forged temporary licenses have revealed that the inferior quality of the paper used for genuine licenses has made way for the tampering. The department has planned to print these on security paper. Discussions with the Government Printer have already taken place pertaining to the matter, and Senerath was confident that better quality paper would be available with the next two months. Senerath said a forged card type licence had also been detected in Maharagama, recently. The police have begun investigations into this as well. Unlike earlier when the public was allowed to meet the Commissioner only on Wednesdays, now they can meet him any day of the week. The public is also warned not to go to touts who fleece the customers. They are also advised to refrain from approaching junior or subordinate officers at the department. Two Additional Commissioners and four deputy Commissioners have been appointed for this purpose. "They are also free to meet me direct," Senerath said. |
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