No transparency in RTA

Nirmal: Ever since the high valued currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were demonetised on November 8 last year, government departments at the Centre and in the States were expected to turn transparent, accountable, people friendly and service motive.

But, it seems that the RTA department in the district has nothing to do with such things and the situation is quite the same as before. Transparency still eludes the department.

Be it a Learner’s license, registration of a vehicle or any other things related to the department, it all depends on the amount of cash that one coughs up to the officials concerned. Giving bribes has become the order of the day.

The driving test, the vehicle check point were at the nearest location to the R.T.A office earlier in the then Adilabad district, but things have been worrisome for people as they have to travel along for 5 km for their driving test, vehicle fitness, registration and other related issues to be solved.

Corruption has reached the peak in this department. If an individual wants a learning license, as per the changed prices last week, he or she has to spend Rs1000 and Rs 1200 till the driving license is issued.

But the middlemen decide the charges for a driving license, ensuring that nothing is asked once the bribe was paid. According to reports, one needs to pay an amount of Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,000 to get a two-wheeler driving licence and around Rs 3,500 for 2+4 driving license.

When The Hans India reporter visited the spot where the driving tests were conducted he found that they were being conducted in an area around a godown where the road was uneven. Besides, people were made to wait for around an hour and a half for the official to come and get the tests done.

On the one hand, the department officials used the unfit vehicles without proper checking. On the other hand the vehicles which are used for driving test of a four-wheeler were worn out and outdated.

The vehicles use for driving tests werefound to be in dismal condition, When the reporters of The Hans India went to the place where the number plates were affixed, they found the officials taking bribes.

Now, that the government has ensured for an H.S.R.P (High Security Registration Plate), the amount of which is already collected by the showroom owner from whom the vehicle is purchased, after the fixation of the number plates, the individual rightfully demanded Rs. 30/- claiming the amount for fixation charges.

Even the people who were writing precautionary measures on the transport vehicles before registration demand Rs 100 for writing one line.

These incidents were so shocking that one could easily understand as to what level transparency has fallen in the transport department. The department is no longer service-oriented or transparent.

By: Sathyapu Srinivas Reddy