After making RTOs in Mumbai region "tout-free", state transport commissioner Mahesh Zagade has begun his surprise inspections at the offices and has already seized a few notebooks owned by unscrupulous agents.
Sources close to him said the books contain details of all transactions made by agents, sums collected and also commission to be paid. "Incriminating" books will now be kept as evidence by him to show the government how illegal business by touts thrived outside every RTO in Maharashtra.
The books also contain inflated rates for getting work done. For example, work to get a new licence could cost an applicant anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000.
On Tuesday, there was a steady flow of bona fide visitors to all three city RTOs and as many as 500 applications were cleared by each office. The department issued notices to some car dealers and driving schools that have stopped work either in protest or after being threatened by touts. "Why should car dealers work through touts? They should appoint their own staff to get cars registered for customers. We (RTO) are here to accept their documents and process them for new smartcards and allotment of registration numbers. If they do not come to us, it will delay registration," said an official.
A few RTOs have also sought police protection. Agents, though, have said they were protesting peacefully and were targeted "unnecessarily".
Meanwhile, notices were issued to driving schools stating they they must provide a proper 21-day course to applicants and ensure they arrive at the RTO after online registrations.
Zagade had also assured of helpdesks at RTOs. Wadala has already started one with two officers and a clerk.
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Sources close to him said the books contain details of all transactions made by agents, sums collected and also commission to be paid. "Incriminating" books will now be kept as evidence by him to show the government how illegal business by touts thrived outside every RTO in Maharashtra.
The books also contain inflated rates for getting work done. For example, work to get a new licence could cost an applicant anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000.
On Tuesday, there was a steady flow of bona fide visitors to all three city RTOs and as many as 500 applications were cleared by each office. The department issued notices to some car dealers and driving schools that have stopped work either in protest or after being threatened by touts. "Why should car dealers work through touts? They should appoint their own staff to get cars registered for customers. We (RTO) are here to accept their documents and process them for new smartcards and allotment of registration numbers. If they do not come to us, it will delay registration," said an official.
A few RTOs have also sought police protection. Agents, though, have said they were protesting peacefully and were targeted "unnecessarily".
Meanwhile, notices were issued to driving schools stating they they must provide a proper 21-day course to applicants and ensure they arrive at the RTO after online registrations.
Zagade had also assured of helpdesks at RTOs. Wadala has already started one with two officers and a clerk.
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
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