Gatidhara: Online platform for permits introduced

The state Transport department has introduced an online platform to apply in order to get luxury car permits under the Gatidhara project from the State Transport Authority (STA). The step has been taken to make the process of applying easier and hassle-free.

Earlier, applicants had to stand in long queues to get appointments for the interview that they needed to face in order to get the permit but now with introduction of the online application system, applicants do not need to line up in front of the STA.

Now, they just need to log into the website www.transport.wb.gov.in and click on a link to get into the portal where they can fill in all the necessary details to apply for an appointment on a desired date and time.

After getting the appointment on the said date, the applicant has to appear before the officers in the STA with all the necessary documents for the interview.

Applying for the permit is the first stage to get the benefits under Gatidhata in order to buy a luxury car for commercial purposes. Once they get the permit, the process of sanctioning the subsidy of Rs 1 lakh to buy the car under the scheme starts.

The applicant will get an SMS in his given mobile number as soon as his or her subsidy is granted. The person will also receive another SMS when the fund is released. The Transport department has also introduced the SMS-based system recently and with its introduction an applicant does not need to run to a dealer or any other official to know whether the subsidy has been released or not.

The STA's office is at Kasba and two offices under it are in Siliguri and Durgapur. In the Left Front regime, people from across the state had to come to the STA in Kasba for interview to get the permit. After the change of guard in the state, the branch offices were opened in Siliguri and Durgapur.

People from North Bengal districts did not need to come to Kolkata anymore but instead they could visit the Siliguri office. Similarly, people from districts including Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, East and West Midnapore visit the Durgapur office. Applicants from rest of the districts get their permits from the Kolkata office.

It may be mentioned that Gatidhara project was the brainchild of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and so

far around 13,000 unemployed youth have received its benefit.

The state Transport department has a target of bringing 10,000 more people under the scheme in the 2017-18 financial year.