Now, change ration card & pay vehicle tax from home

NEW DELHI: With the success of Delhi government's Doorstep Delivery (DSD) scheme the authorities have decided to include — apply for changes in ration card — pay motor vehicle tax. The AAP-led Delhi government announced that from February 1, with the existing services 30 more such would be added. "After tasting success in the first phase, the Aam Aadmi Party government had on Wednesday announced that 30 more public services would be available from February 1 under the Doorstep Service Delivery scheme," said an official. He added that the new public services will allow citizens to book a tour package, apply for changes in ration card, and pay motor vehicle tax while sitting at home.

The officials explained that from the inception of the scheme with time demands for extensions were coming to the government but the government did take time as it was kept its focus in setting up a proper infrastructure which can accommodate more such services. "We could have extended the number of services every month but we wanted to set up strong infrastructure and launch all the new services together," said an official.

Currently, there are 40 services which are covered under the scheme launched in September last year. The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government hails the DSD scheme as a 'revolution' in governance in the country. Soon, the third phase with more services will be launched, it said.

The decision to add 30 more new services was taken in a review meeting, which was attended by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and other heads of departments. At the review meeting, the government also accepted that there were some problems with systems on the ground, especially IT-related which were being worked out with the VFS Global Services Private Limited (intermediary agency). "It was observed that the quality of Mobile Sahayaks, engaged by the intermediary agency can be further improved. VFS Global Services Private Limited was instructed to deploy qualified Mobile Sahayaks and impart necessary training before visiting the applicants," said a government statement.

Earlier, it was reported that the demands to get caste (OBC) certificates trumped all other service requests under the Delhi government's doorstep delivery of public services scheme, with 12,800 requests in the first three months of its launch. At 12,560, the requests for learner's licence occupies the second position, while 9,163 applied to get caste (SC) certificate home delivered.