Covid 19 compelled all nations to go for lockdown as a preventive measure. This lockdown has created many issues and left the governments and citizens with many lessons as well.
While there were serious issues at the start of lockdown and citizens too took all the hardships in their stride now the time has come that government takes proactive measures for basic and unique needs of the citizens.
Government of India has done extremely well to announce the lockdown and thereafter various initiative taken at the macro level too are excellent. However, execution has not been flawless. Some failures are at central government level and many are at various state government level.
Awareness campaign of Covid 19 has been really powerful and ensured that every citizen irrespective of income or age group is aware of the need to stay safe.
Some measures initially announced by the government to provide basic support to all citizens included moratorium on EMI of various loans, new dates for filing various income tax returns and compliance documents, etc.
One extension that stands out is from Ministry of road Transport and Highways for various documents including driving license.
While all these are proactive steps are more to do with lockdown there are few important decisions that central and state governments have missed out. This includes provisions for online renewal of arms license or an extension date, professionals who have shifted to new cities and carrying transfer letter for LPG connection, provisions for real time display of occupancy in hospital beds (normal quarantine, ICU, ventilators, etc)
These are just pointers for corrective action to be taken. However, one that needs immediate attention of government is penalty for delay in renewal of arms license. Looking at the scenario we may have few more months of lockdown in various cities across the country.
According to Ministry of Home Affairs there were 33.69 lacs active gun licenses as of December 31, 2016. Uttar Pradesh having the highest number of license 12.77 lacs. The number between Jan 2017 and now would have certainly gone up.
Central and respective state governments should come together and announce guidelines for online renewal and payment for license that have expired during lockdown period. If this can’t be done for natural barriers then an announcement to extend validity of expired documents for sufficient period of time. This will help state police and license owner get peace of mind and also eliminate legal issues for the licensed weapon owner from falling in a trap for not renewing the license despite best intention, courtesy LOCKDOWN.
Author: Robin can be reached onTwitter: @ZeroAppeasement
2 thoughts on “Lockdown and Renewal of Arms License”
Maj Gen BS Panwar, AVSM, SM (Retd)
July 31, 2020Excellent narrative and much needed action is required by GOI/ State Govts for auto validation of Arms licences and other such documents up to 30 Sep 20 in consonance with the GOI decision regarding auto validity of Driving licence & vehicle registration etc.
Immediate action is necessitated as some States like UP have started charging penalty of Rs2000/- for renewal of Arms licences whose validity expired after announcement of lockdown in March20 & subsequent months.
Provision to pay license fee online will also go a long way to alleviate the problems of senior citizens who are advised to remain at home.
My compliments to esteemed author for taking up this cause of immense public importance.
Maj Gen BS Panwar, AVSM, SM (Retd)
July 31, 2020Excellent narrative and much needed action is required by GOI/ State Govts for auto validation of Arms licences and other such documents up to 30 Sep 20 in consonance with the GOI decision regarding auto validity of Driving licence & vehicle registration etc.
Immediate action is necessitated as some States like UP have started charging penalty of Rs2000/- for renewal of Arms licences whose validity expired after announcement of lockdown in March20 & subsequent months.
Provision to pay license fee online will also go a long way to alleviate the problems of senior citizens who are advised to remain at home.
My compliments to esteemed author for taking up this cause of immense public importance.