The Punjab Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department has put the biometric system for vehicle registration and transfer on hold.
However, this is not a permanent measure; instead, the service will be suspended for three months.
And why is this so? The department is having difficulties transitioning from the old manual registration system to a biometric one.
System Issues
According to reports, the system has been rendered inoperable due to complications in the registration and transfer of older vehicles and motorcycles.
The manual registration system was completely replaced in April 2022, following the launch of the biometric system.
However, the records of older cars and bikes had not been completely digitalized, causing registration delays. As a result, Excise has temporarily halted operations in order to address these issues.
Suspension Duration
According to reports, Excise will suspend the system from September 11, 2022 to December 11, 2022. And this time frame is intended to make it easier to register older vehicles.
According to the data, 177,000 vehicles are expected to be registered during these three months, generating Rs. 15 billion for the department. The department will reintroduce the system in stages, with completion expected in June 2023.
Excise Official’s Statement
An Excise department official said we are “giving relaxation for three months in case seller is unavailable.”
The biometric system was implemented by the provincial government in January of this year. It was created to make the vehicle registration and transfer process simpler and more efficient.
There have been reports of system issues, particularly with older vehicles; however, Excise is constantly working to resolve these issues.
The biometric is a useful service for Punjab residents because it eliminates future problems for sellers and buyers. Furthermore, it is quick and simple to use, and most importantly, the money is transferred in a secure environment.
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