Kulgam, Aug 29: A citizen has sought the intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir over the prolonged delay in renewal of the Registration Certificate (RC) of vehicle JK18-2912, alleging that despite completing all prescribed formalities, the application has remained pending for nearly 45 days.

According to the representation, the prescribed fee was deposited through the Sarathi Parivahan portal on July 11, 2026, vide Application/Receipt No. JK260711V9701598, while the vehicle had already undergone physical inspection by the concerned Motor Vehicle Inspector on July 9, 2026, in the presence of the concerned ARTO.
The applicant stated that the online portal continues to display the status: “Application Pending at Re-entry scrutiny at Kulgam ARTO.” He was reportedly informed that the delay was due to a mismatch between the inspection date and the date of payment.
Questioning the basis for holding a citizen responsible for a technical issue in the Government’s online system, the applicant said that the portal had itself accepted the prescribed fee and generated an official receipt and application number. He argued that a citizen should not be made to suffer because of a technical deficiency beyond his control.
The applicant further stated that he had approached the Transport Commissioner, J&K, through representations, communications and emails, seeking intervention and early disposal of the matter. However, according to him, no effective resolution or meaningful communication followed and the application continues to remain pending.
The grievance has also raised broader questions regarding the effectiveness of e-governance and citizen-centric service delivery. The applicant observed that digitisation was intended to reduce physical visits and delays, and argued that an online application should not ultimately become an “offline waiting game.”
The representation also calls for an objective examination of whether applications submitted directly by citizens face greater delays than those processed through private agents or intermediaries. The applicant said that if such a perception has any factual basis, it warrants administrative scrutiny in the interest of transparency and equal access to public services.
Calling the matter more than an individual grievance, the applicant said it raises larger questions of administrative accountability, equality of treatment, timely service delivery and respect for citizens’ dignity.
He has consequently sought an immediate, impartial and high-level inquiry into the handling of citizen applications at the ARTO Office, Kulgam, as well as the supervisory response of the Transport Commissioner, J&K. The proposed inquiry, he said, should determine the reasons for the prolonged delay, examine why the technical mismatch remained unresolved and establish why repeated representations failed to secure a timely solution.
The case has brought into focus a basic principle of public administration: authority carries accountability, and Government services must be delivered promptly, fairly and transparently to the citizens for whom they exist.