Demand Drafts racket near RTAs rampant

Hyderabad: The Demand Drafts (DDs) issued by banks are being sold near the RTA offices in Hyderabad and surroundings for a premium, throwing the banking rules to winds.

Brokers have set up shops around the RTA offices to sell the DDs to help visitors with booking of slots for driving license, registration of vehicles, etc.

Demand drafts are required to pay the tax for the second vehicle, driving licence, pollution under control, vehicle fitness, etc. Demand drafts of various denominations are ready with the agents.

This correspondent on Wednesday visited the Road Transport Authority (south) (RTA) office at Bandlaguda and found that several brokers selling demand drafts to people.

A demand draft for Rs 2,660 issued by the Hyderabad District Co-operative Bank Bahadurpura branch at Attapur is being sold for Rs 2,900.

The demand drafts are being issued in favour of the secretary,  Road Transport Authority.  Sources said that demand drafts are supplied to the agents every day for a commission. “There are no banks in the neighbourhood of the RTA office. So the brokers cash in on the need of visitors and sell the DDs by collecting additional money,” said Mr. Shabbir Khan, a businessman from Bandlaguda. 

He further said that several online shops are bringing the DDs from the agents and officials are accepting it.

Mr Muneeruddin, a local resident, said that the staff at the RTA office also demand money for various services. “For getting photographed for vehicle registration card, they collect Rs 20 and another Rs 50 is collected by the staff who verify the vehicle,” he added.