Getting things done in Govt Offices! RTO Part 1

After getting the Indemnity bond, was planning to attempt car ownership transfer. It was in the company's name and the EMI's had just got over. Car was hypothecated too.

Eventually got the car transfer document from work place after paying the residuals! All plans of buying a new car has been shelved for a few years since the recession set in doesn't seem to go away that soon!! Ok at least the EMI burden is going to be lesser :-) Or may be going to pay the EMI for overhauling / tyres et all!!

First Checked out FAQ's at http://rto.kar.nic.in/ to see the documents required for transfer. The office folks had indeed given me all the requisite forms. This included forms with crazy numbers, address proof and emission certificate [where are all those diesel emission certifiers?? I hardly find any in a stretch!! - has it become not so profitable? thought the other way].

Was on vacation - had finished a good trip to Munnar. Nothing much to do, so decided to go ahead and initiate the process for car ownership transfer. But eventually when I went there it was about 2:00pm. First observation is that the dark steps leading to the office was not filled with Shady agents and middle-men -> who previously would never allow you to enter RTO!! Was Surprised to see english board everywhere. No one at May I help you counter - probably is out for lunch.

Went around searching - offices had names that aren't very easy to decipher! Spoke to one of the officers in the counter - I was asked to go to hall number 11. Went there - checked out counter specific to the KA-01 registrations. There were only a few officials - one of them told me its the right place and I have to come after 2:30pm. Left the place to come back at 3:00. At 3:00 I was told I have to come in the mornings to submit the applications!! Was really frustrated - only then saw a board hanging right above there stating the same :-( if only I had noticed it among those zillion such hanging boards!

Eventually came back the next day - went to the counter. The person ahead of me was asked to submit a self addressed cloth envelop with 25/- stamp. So went around hunting for the envelope; went to a nearby post office for stamp and returned.

By then another friend too joined for the same purpose. We went and submitted all the documents to the PRO in that bay. She went through and told us, we can't do the transfer out there; we have to get it done in the RTO attached to the respective residential area! Mine happens to be Indira Nagar. But this RTO had to issue a NOC, for which only the RC book, insurance/pollution copies were required with a letter. There was no fee attached to this!! PRO attested our documents, and we left the docket [pinned together] to the clerk in the reception. We collected a small receipt too. This was 2nd of Jan, and the receipt said we would receive the RC book by speed post by 18th Jan!!

Left the place with some apprehension :-) .. to be continued

Getting things done in Govt Offices! RTO Part 2

The date of dispatch for the RC book was 18th of Jan!! It was already last week of Jan and no news!!

Another friend who had given the papers with me visited the place to checkout! He was told that we had to give form-35 too to get this done!! They didn't notice that there was Hypothecation and hence didn't ask for the same at the first attempt. We could have caught this too if we had thought over. Basically Hypothecation cancellation should be

The initial procedure actually involved clearance of the application by an officer - looks like the officer missed out on this part. Btw, I like this concept since one of the most tedious things at govt offices is to get to know the application and the documents to be attached. This person acts as a good liaison on this part.

Meanwhile another senior personnel who was doing something got up and came to us to inquire why we are there for. After looking at my receipt, he said I had to wait!

So went back again to submit the documents. Reached there by 10:00 am. Couple of people were around - I should have checked with the person sitting in the back [typically seniors]. But awaited for the junior person to come. This junior person typically sits in the front desk and answers all queries. When he eventually came, (probably 30 mins late to the seat) he started working on the file pile on his desk. Was amazed to see that he was so efficient and cleared the whole set in about 20 mins!!

Then he took my receipt and said I have to talk to the senior officer sitting behind him!! I should have straight away done that when I came!! I was asked to pay 100/- fee for Hypothecation cancellation and then submit receipt with From-35 from the bank which hypothecated it.

After paying in the respective counter, came back and gave it to the senior official. I was asked to wait till the PRO comes and verifies the papers again. Waited another 20 mins. She never came. The same senior official came to PRO desk and cleared our papers!!

Submitted the same on 2nd Feb 2010 with all apprehension as to how many more days and waits it would take!!

Eventually it reached me by speed post on 8th Feb 2010!!

Not bad at all. If I had submitted all docs correctly, it probably would have got over in less than 30days.

Now - I'm heading on to the next stage with more confidence!! The car papers finally have to transferred to me at Indiranagar RTO!! Will keep posted ... :-)