Karnataka: RTO registers 34,000 election violation cases in 25 days

Benagluru: This election season, the Regional Transport Office has managed to create a record of sorts by cracking down on election violators and registering 34,000 cases in the last 25 days, while on a normal month they book 10,000-15,000 cases. Maximum number of fines has been collected from Bengaluru, sources said.

“RTO officials flag down vehicles and book cases against owners if they are found defaulting on tax. But during the election season, we have more personnel and also because of the election code of conduct, the number of cases booked and the amount collected is higher,” an RTO official told Deccan Chronicle.

RTO officials have caught many drivers, including those of government vehicles, by surprise. They have collected Rs 13 crore in 25 days this election season. “RTOs carry out drives and book cases against vehicles from outside the state and from other parts of the state, plying on city roads. As more officers are present at checkposts, we could collect Rs 13 crore in fines and tax amounts in just 25 days,” a senior official said.

The highest amount of Rs 1,17,000 was seized from a vehicle in Mysuru which was carrying the cash without valid documents.

But other tasks of RTO have suffered because of election duty, sources said. People have been complaining that registration of vehicles at city Regional Transport Offices has been affected as many officials are away on election duty. Motorists complained of slow process throughout the week. “A number of transport department staffers have been deployed on election duty. They should have deputed officials from other departments, as people are suffering,” an agent said.