Status quo in state administration

When recently registering a car at one of the regional traffic police units, I encountered a series of misunderstandings that turned into an 8-hour wait for a service that under other circumstances would have taken at least 16 times less time.

Some time ago we wrote about the need for a more careful selection of the units in the public administration, which should be included in the update of the software products used in their daily activities. Then a discussion arose about the extent to which the large amount of the public procurement on the subject is justified and whether there is a need for the latest versions of operating systems everywhere. As was specified in the previous article, the reality, in fact, is that there are institutions in which such products, as well as personnel capable of handling them, are completely absent. The contradiction comes from the fact that it is in these institutions that technological progress should help the most for the implementation of fast and professional activity.

For example, the Road Transport Control (RTC) department of the Ministry of Interior operates an outdated vehicle registration system, which is a fairly accurate example of the lack of any reform or modernization.

When recently registering a car at one of the regional traffic police units, I encountered a series of misunderstandings that turned into an 8-hour wait for a service that under other circumstances would have taken at least 16 times less time.

If by some lucky chance you haven't encountered a government administration in a long time and you need some thrills, the following lines are for you:

To register a car, you need to line up at counter 1, where you submit a large set of documents (a brief description is available here, but its relevance is not guaranteed). A fee of 12 leva is required, for which you do not receive any receipt or justification, nor explanations of how to proceed afterwards. You follow the herd principle to the column of waiting cars that need to undergo a technical inspection. The queue does not seem large, but only after the first vehicle has been inspected, “the system broke” (09:30). This coded expression means that the internet connection to the stolen car database has been lost, making it impossible for the next waiting cars to pass until the problem is resolved. The case finds its solution “with help from Sofia” (13:30). Over the past 4 hours, at least three columns and dozens of cars with impatient owners have formed, as there is no clear marking for their location. After the “system” is working again, it’s time for the technical inspection. It’s carried out in an old hall by a post-retirement employee who casually glances under the hood of the vehicle being inspected and goes into a small room for about 20 minutes before accepting the next vehicle. These breaks are necessary because the same post-retirement employee enters the vehicle data into the room in question on a rather old computer (it seems to be the “system”). Apparently, the computer is not connected to those at counter 1, where they already have the same data.

After the technical inspection, it's time to queue up at Counter 2 (3:15 p.m.). Unfortunately, only one of the two desks is open, as the other employee is on break from 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. As soon as he gets back from his break, the first employee goes out to rest. At the counter, you receive two white square cards that include your future registration number, which you keep carefully while you head to the bank branch. There, you pay a fee for the number. Next, it is placed on the car, but only if you provide one of the white square cards. Here, it seems, we have no connection to Counter 2 again. You return to the employee of post-retirement age and if you are a little more lucky and find him in his room, he will immediately give you a stamp for the inspection. Next is Counter 3, where you receive the final vehicle registration certificates. Registration successful (4:30 p.m.).

Reality check :

This state structure includes:

1. Ненужно тромав процес по извършване на дейността, включващ голям документо-оборот и без координация между отделните звена на обслужващия персонал ;
2. Корупционни практики – срещу определена малка сума запознати лица могат да спестят чакането и разкарването по гишета;
3. Противозаконни регистрации на МПС – група граждани от малцинствен произход ежедневно регистрират по 3 и повече автомобила и видимо се познават с персонала. Вероятността част от превозните средства да са крадени остава,  а схемата изглежда е публична тайна;

В тази държавна структура липсват:

1. Свързани компютри в мрежа, които значително биха улеснили оперативните процеси;
2. Компетентен персонал, който да работи с информационно-технологични продукти;
3. Оптимизирана схема на работното време и навременна поддръжка при случай на повреда или технически проблем;
4. Възможност за предварително подаване на документите в интернет с предварително записване на час за преглед;

Резултатът е загубено време и неизправни превозни средства в движение. Възможните подобрения са очевидни, но в КАТ липсва воля те да бъдат приложени.  Там властва статуквото в държавната администрация.

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