Telangana: Corruption peaks in RTA offices

Hyderabad: With corruption reaching its peak in the transport department, officials are banking on technology to tackle graft. Hyderabad joint transport commissioner J Pandurang Naik said that corruption has come down with strict measures taken by the government since 2014. 

After the recent illegal vehicle registrations scam surfaced and five motor vehicle inspectors were suspended, the vigilance department has asked the government to nip such scams in the bud. Though the scam did not result in any revenue loss, the government initiated action against the five officials, based on a probe conducted by Ranga Reddy district transport officer Muppala Praveen Rao.

Besides, the raids conducted by the ACB have revealed that a majority of district RTA offices and those at the border check-posts were having unaccounted money. 

“RTA officials are demanding money from motorists for various services through middlemen. The raids also brought to light the role of middlemen and huge amounts were seized from them,” an ACB official said. Though many RTA services are rendered online, motorists often visit offices in connection with vehicle registration and driving licence.

Mohammad Jahangir, a truck driver from Rajendranagar, said that at check-posts, drivers are looted by RTA staff. “Despite having all documents we are forced to bribe officials as they can delays our journey,” he added.

Wrong route
 ACB unearthed Rs 3.45 crore of unaccounted assets belonging to MV inspector Moham-mad Gous Pasha on February 6, 2017.
 Another inspector, Pitta Prathap, was sentenced to three years imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case in which the ACB identified properties worth Rs 30.99 lakh
 As ordered by the CM, the ACB conducted simultaneous raids on RTA offices and check-posts on August 13, 2014
The ACB found Rs 1.24L unaccounteed cash in Tirumalagiri RTA office