The Traffic Police personnel in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are blatantly disregarding the directives of two Union Ministries by refusing to accept Virtual Driving Licenses and Registration Certificates stored on DigiLocker and mParivahan mobile apps. The non-compliance of orders issued by ministries by the traffic police is indeed a serious matter. It indicates a lack of adherence to established directives and can result in inconvenience, harassment, and frustration for the public. When ministries issue orders and directives, they are intended to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and ensure uniformity in operations.
In this case, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have specifically instructed all states, Union Territories, and Traffic police authorities to accept documents stored on the DigiLocker and mParivahan mobile apps as legally recognised and equivalent to physical documents. The orders issued by the ministries were specifically intended to address delays in the dispatch of new and renewed documents, considering factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other reasons. In the case of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, where there is a shortage of printing paper for licences, the acceptance of digital documents becomes even more crucial. Non-acceptance of digital documents causes undue inconvenience for the public. Law enforcement agencies must align their practices with the directives of the ministries to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for citizens.
The non-compliance of ministries’ orders by the traffic police can be particularly distressing for tourists. Visitors to a region may not be familiar with the local procedures and may heavily rely on digital platforms such as DigiLocker and mParivahan to store their important documents like driving licences and vehicle registration certificates. When tourists are not able to use these digital platforms as valid identification and documentation, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and unnecessary harassment. Travellers often expect a seamless and consistent experience, especially when it comes to complying with traffic regulations and providing necessary documentation. Non-compliance with ministries’ orders by the traffic police not only tarnishes the image of the local law enforcement agencies but can also negatively impact the overall tourism experience. It may create a perception that the region is not technologically advanced or up-to-date with digital systems, which can deter potential visitors and affect the tourism industry. Recognising the importance of tourism for the local economy, it becomes even more crucial for the traffic police to comply with the directives of the ministries and ensure that tourists are not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience or harassment. Proper implementation of digital document acceptance and adherence to established guidelines will go a long way towards improving the experience of tourists and fostering a positive image of the region.
It is highly unlikely that the higher authorities within the Traffic Department are unaware of the situation and the non-compliance of their personnel with the written orders of the two ministries. It is implausible that lower-ranking traffic personnel would independently choose to ignore the explicit orders from two ministries without any knowledge or guidance from their superiors. This matter requires a thorough investigation to determine the reasons behind the disregard for the directives and to establish accountability. The Transport Commissioner’s initiative to address this issue and seek the intervention of the Inspector General of Police Traffic is a step in the right direction. It highlights the importance of upholding the directives of the ministries and emphasises the need for proper implementation at the ground level.
Immediate efforts should be made to ensure that traffic police personnel are adequately informed about the directives and are trained to accept and verify digital documents. Regular monitoring and accountability mechanisms should also be in place to ensure compliance with the ministries’ orders.
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