Apply Online; get your voter ID in a month

Karnataka Is First State To Go Digital Initiative Will Cover 12 Lakh Voters 

Are you above 18 but not one among the voters? Do you want to avoid standing in long queues to apply for your voter ID? Here’s an easy way.
    Within two months, you can apply for your electoral photo identity card (EPIC) online — something as easy as booking an e-ticket. The move will cover 12 lakh voters in Bangalore who are above 18.
    “Karnataka will be the first state in the country to go online. With this, application for correction of name and age, and for addition and deletion of names from the list can also be made online,” Karnataka’s joint chief electoral officer T Shamaiah told STOI.
    Microsoft Corp and Tata Consultancy Services have provided technical support to the project. Eligible voters can get EPIC within a month, as against nearly nine months now. “The move is to digitize the system and make it faster,” said Shamaiah. An applicant will get mobile updates on the status of her application.
    Among Bangalore’s voters, 70% have EPIC as against 94% in other districts. In Karnataka, 87% of the voters are EPIC holders.
HOW TO APPLY?
Log on to http://ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in, the official website of Karnataka’s chief electoral officer, and click on the link for online Form 6 applications. Once name, email ID and mobile number are provided, a unique login number and password will be provided to a new user. The user will then have to log on with the provided login number and password, and fill Form 6 online. A scan of a passport-size photograph must be attached. “Though the application can be filed online, hard copies of address proof and identity proof have to be sent to a nearby voters’ facilitation centre. Booth-level officials will verify the documents and may conduct physical verification.... With this, the entire process of electoral identification can be done within a month. EPIC will be despatched to the applicant by post, or it can be collected from the booth-level office,” Shamaiah said. Online submission of Form 6 will be enabled shortly.
ISSUES OF ADDRESS AND NAME
Names are a big issue in Bangalore, say election staff. “EPIC has to be in two languages. Mistakes occur when a name written in English is transcribed to Kannada, or vice versa. Bangalore has migrants, and their names are tricky to be written in two languages. Besides, many Bangaloreans do not have address proof at all,” Shamaiah said.
GET VOTER ID IN COLLEGE
To ensure that every citizen is armed with EPIC, Form 6 applications will be made available in all Bangalore colleges. “We are in talks with college principals to enroll their students,’’ he said.  

 

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES: Within two months, you can apply for your electoral photo identity card (EPIC) online 

 

To involve students, Form 6 applications will be available in all Bangalore colleges

Extracts from Times Of India, Bangalore Edition, 18-July-2011

How to Get a Driving License in Bangalore

Having applied for a fresh Karnataka Driving License recently in Bangalore, I thought I should share the procedure with all of you, so you don’t waste your time and patience there trying to figure out where to go and what to do. And most importantly, these steps will help you go through the process yourself, rather than taking the help of any touts or agents.

Following are the main steps, as you may be aware:

1. Apply for a Learner’s License (LL)
2. Wait for one month
3. Apply for a Driving License (DL)

NOTE: You need to be aware of which RTO your area falls under. There are five RTOs, one each covering North, East, South, West and Central Bangalore. These are in Yeswanthpur, Indiranagar, Jayanagar, Rajajinagar and Koramangala respectively.

Step 1: Applying for the LL you need to go to the RTO with the following documents:

1.  Three recent passport size photos
2.  Address proof (Ration card, Passport, etc.) (copy as well as original)
3.  Age proof (Birth certificate, PAN card, etc.) (copy as well as original)

With these documents, go to the helpdesk which is on the second floor of Koramangala BDA Complex. Take CMV Form 2 from there and fill it up, or else download it from here. Next, go to the RTO cash counter which is in Room No. 12, pay Rs. 30 per LL and get the receipt printout. Note that if you’re applying for, say, both two-wheeler and four-wheeler LL at once, you need to take two receipts of Rs. 30 each, so explain to the person at the counter accordingly.

On the CMV Form 2, you need to tick all the vehicle categories for which you need the license (e.g two-wheeler with gear, light motor vehicle, etc.).

Next, attach copies of all the above mentioned documents to the CMV Form 2 and go to the Assistant RTO Officer’s cabin. He will verify the documents with their originals and then sign on the CMV Form 2. Then, you need to go to Room No. 2, where another person will ask you to explain the traffic signs and driving rules as specified in the Indian Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. After that, he will sign on the form too. 

Now, you need to go to Room No. 12 again and submit it at the LL counter to the right of the ARTO’s cabin. After an hour or so, you will get your LL, which is basically a sheet of paper with your photo and other details of your license application. It also mentions the validity period of the LL, which is six months from the date of application.

UPDATE: You can now even apply for the LL online! You need to visit this link, go through the instructions and then click on the “Register online” link at the bottom. Not giving any more details as everything is explained in the link above.

Step 2: Waiting period of one month there is a waiting period of one month after you get the LL, after which you can apply for the actual DL. This is to enable you to learn to drive the vehicle properly under the guidance of another valid DL holder.

Following are the rules for this period:

1. Always carry your LL with you
2. Never drive the vehicle alone. You are supposed to be accompanied by another person who has a valid DL for that type of vehicle
3. Put a red “L” sticker on the front and back of the vehicle, which will warn others that you are a learner do not concentrate on ABC (accelerator-brake-clutch) of driving alone! Imbibe the finer points of driving as well, such as lane discipline, respecting traffic signals, giving way to others, not honking indiscriminately, etc.

Step 3: Applying for the DL Now comes the real test! After you have completed the minimum one month waiting period, you are eligible to apply for the DL. For this, you have to give a driving test in front of a Driving Inspector and he has to be satisfied that you have learnt to drive the vehicle properly.You again need to carry three passport size photos for this. First, go to the helpdesk as before and take CMV Form 4, one for each class of vehicle for which you are taking the license (don’t forget this, or else you will have to run around again later), or download here. So if you’re applying for both two-wheeler and four-wheeler simultaneously, as I did, you have to fill the CMV Form 4 in duplicate. In this form, you have to fill in the requested info and also provide your LL number. You also have to take CMV Form 7 (for issuing PVC card DL) from the cabin to the right of the ARTO’s Cabin in Room No. 12 and fill it up (only once, even if you’re applying for more than one class of vehicle License). Next, go to the RTO cash counter in the same room and pay Rs. 215 for the PVC card (smart card type) DL, and Rs. 50 each for the driving test for every class of vehicle. In my case, the total was Rs. 315 (Rs. 215 for plastic DL, Rs. 50 x 2 for DL test for two- and four-wheeler).

Now, you again need to go to the ARTO’s cabin with CMV Form 4(s), Form 7, your LL(s) and payment receipt(s) all attached together. He will verify everything and then sign on the Form 4(s).

Next, you need to go to the DL section which is the same place from where you took the Form 7 (room to the right of the ARTO’s cabin). There, your picture will be taken on the webcam, your fingerprints will be scanned, and you will be asked to sign using an electronic pen on a pad.  All this will be recorded ectronically on the RTO’s computers, and will appear on your actual DL.Then, you need to go to another desk which is on the left of the ARTO’s cabin, where you need to show them the signed CMV Form 4 and payment receipts, and they will enter it into the system (don’t ask me why it’s like this!!).
Then they will put a stamp on your CMV Form 4 that says “Back entry done”. Ensure that your photo, fingerprints and signature are taken before you come here, or else the system will not accept your form.

Once this is done, you need to go for the driving test. Go to The Driving Inspector with all your forms attached and with the original documents (including Emission Certificate(s)) of the vehicle(s) for which you are applying for the license. Note that if you’re applying for both two- and four-wheeler, you need to bring both the vehicles with you (so you need a friend/relative to come with you, obviously), and you also need to get the original documents of both vehicles.

Also note that you may need to arrange for your own vehicles; you may or may not be allowed to borrow another person’s vehicle, as the Inspector may not allow it for some really strange, inexplicable reason!

Once the driving test is done, the Inspector will take all the forms from you, sign on them and keep them with him. You don’t have any proofs/receipts with you at this point, which I find rather strange (’cause what if he loses your form?). After a couple of days, you can come and collect your DL.

It may also happen that the Inspector is not satisfied with your driving for whatever reason. Perhaps you Genuinely made a mistake during the test (didn’t give necessary signals, didn’t follow rules, etc.), or perhaps the Inspector just wants you to grease his palm. If it’s the former reason, he’ll ask you to reappear for the test after a week’s gap. If it’s the latter, the decision is yours as to whether you want to pay him off or complain to the authorities (Lok Ayukta or RTI may help you here).

Step 4: Collecting the DL Once you collect your DL on the given date, remember to verify it on the spot for any mistakes. Ensure that your name, date of birth, address, parents’ name, etc. are correct. If not, bring it to their notice immediately. Perhaps you may need to pay Rs. 215 again for a fresh plastic card, as the present rules are such that you pay even if the mistake is theirs!

Hope this information was helpful! Please let me know if I’ve missed out any details, or if any information is erroneous.

Useful Links:
Karnataka RTO website: http://rto.kar.nic.in/
Bangalore Traffic Police website: http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/
Traffic Rules & Regulations: http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&btp=82
Traffic Signs: http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&btp=78
CMV Form 2: http://rto.kar.nic.in/form2.pdf
CMV Form 4: http://rto.kar.nic.in/form4.pdf
RTO FAQ: http://www.timesol.net/rto/
Check traffic violations listed against your vehicle:http://125.17.140.50/BPSFineDetails/BPSFineDetails.aspx

BESCOM meter & deposit transfer

For benefit of those owners who have not transferred name and deposits transfer to their name from previous owner/builder, here is the list and procedure to do same yourself.

List of Documents:

(1.) An application on plain paper addressed to Additional Executive Engineer(AEE). BESCOM quoting RR number, previous owner and sale deed registration date.

(2.) NOC from previous owner for transfer addressed to AEE (As in 1.).

(3.) Power agreement (200 Rs) & indemnity bond (Rs 100) - Available at Gowri electrical at Kundalahalli Gate just before Silver line bakery). Ready proforma for applications in (1.) & (2.) are also available with him.

(4.) Sale deep copy - If original is there carry it otherwise get copy notarized or collect a paper from home loan vendor in this regard)

(5.) Field Report to be given by J.E. in BESCOM office on Ryan school road.

(6.) Khata Copy (If any)

(7.) Latest electricity bill

Transfer fee: Rs 100

Procedure:

1. Collect all above papers except (5.), punch & file in a hard folder. (This is required as BESCOM people will not do anything without it.)

2. Fill all details & go BESCOM office. J.E will ask installed load (Bulbs+ fans+TV+ heater, fridge etc) .

It is possible that your installed load will exceed sanctioned load. So be careful while you mention installed load. Ensure that your stated load does not exceed your sanctioned load as mentioned in your current bill. This report scribbled on your application states that meter is working & total installed load is so much.

3. Take one witness's address & signature on documents in (3.)

4. Go to S7 BESCOM office near old airport and go to account officer. Please carry originals for all submitted copies.

5. If all papers are right, you will be directed to pay Rs 100 as transfer fee.

6. You will be asked to come after 1 week (as a procedure ) to collect transfer paper. If there are multiple co-owners in property and you are getting meter & deposit transfer to one of the co-owners, other co-owners need to give a letter stating that they don't have any objection in transferring to other co-owner. This letter is addressed to AEE.

Note: Meet the J.E if you face any problem. Maximum time for transfer is 7 days after submitting all required papers.