Rooting out corruption through innovation

Anantapur: Road Transport Authority (RTA) offices are infamous for corruption and blatant nexus of office staff and middlemen. But the RTA office in Anantapur is a tangible representation of your wishful thinking: congenial ushers, speedy processes, and above all no room for shady deals.

Once a safe haven for corruption, it has seen a complete turnaround under the watch of deputy transport commissioner Dr Sunder Vadde, who earlier made a mark in Vijayawada and won acclaim for his innovations from Chief Minister
N Chandrababu Naidu.

The officer himself invested Rs 60,000 to introduce an online platform called e-tappal, which allows consumers to register online for any service. It also allows himself to personally monitor the progress of every file.

If any file is pending beyond its due date, Sunder ensures that it is cleared at the earliest. As soon as one steps into office, consumers are welcomed by friendly ushers to make them feel comfortable. They are asked to answer a questionnaire to know whether they had come to the office along with an agent or had they paid excess amount to anyone, or whether they were mistreated by the staff.

While providing hassle-free services with online application, the officer has ensured that no agent is seen within three to five kilometre range of the RTA office.