A high-level meeting was held under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here on Monday in which the performance of Excise and Taxation Department and proposed launch of universal number plates were reviewed. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Excise and Taxation Department should particularly focus on giving facilities to the people and the role of agent-mafia in registration of motorcycles and vehicles should be eliminated. The agent-mafia extorts money for the registration of vehicles in collusion with the concerned officials. I will not tolerate it and this should have to come to an end now, he added. He said that department should focus on giving relief to the people and delaying tactics should be avoided. He hoped that launch of universal number plates will help in identification of vehicles. Rush will be decreased in Lahore and Rawalpindi offices besides increasing the revenue. He said that vehicles registration process should be made further easy to facilitate the people. It is in my knowledge that file is willingly kept pending in the Excise Department. The Excise Department officials who willingly create any trouble for the people should better find any other assignment as undue delay in files’ disposal will not be tolerated now. I take public difficulties as my own, he added. He said that non-filers should not face any difficulty in registration process after the purchase of vehicle of prescribed limit and they should also be facilitated with regard to registration. The Chief Minister directed the Excise Minister to conduct field visits for knowing public problems and their redressal. Secretary Excise briefed about the launch of universal number plates. Excise Minister Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmed, Secretary and DG Excise, CEO Punjab Safe City Authority and others attended the meeting.
