Kathmandu, August 5
The government is implementing an alternative solution to address the shortage of national identity cards and driving licenses. Due to the inability to print these documents in sufficient quantities, priority will be given to specific groups.
The government plans to prioritise the issuance of national ID cards to drivers who have not received their licenses on time, followed by senior citizens.
According to the Department of Transport Management, more than 2.1 million driving licenses are pending printing despite all processes being completed. Many individuals pass the driving test and renew old licenses daily from various provinces. In the interim, drivers are using the receipt received after paying the revenue as a temporary license.
The Department of Transport Management lacks a mass printer to handle the backlog of licenses and does not have enough cards to meet the demand.
Delays in the tender process have also hindered the supply of printing machines and cards for licenses.
To address this issue, the government is preparing to issue national ID cards as a priority to those who have completed the smart license process.
According to the National ID and Registration Department, 15.4 million people have provided their details and taken biometric photos for national ID cards. Of these, around 4.5 million national ID cards have been printed, while 11 million cards are yet to be printed, said the department’s Director General, Yubaraj Kattel. “Many have complained about not receiving their cards immediately,” he said. “The same issue exists with driving licenses, so we are working to resolve both.”
Director General Kattel stated that national ID cards will be given priority to those whose licenses are not yet printed. Since the national ID card with an electronic chip is integrated into the license system, it will now function as a license. The government plans to provide traffic police with QR scanner devices to check these national ID cards.
