*RTO office turns den of corruption: Randhawa
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: While the Minister for Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma claimed that Government has taken several initiatives to help transporters, the BJP member Vikram Randhawa today alleged that office of Regional Transport Officer Jammu has turned den of corruption.
Leveling serious allegations, against the RTO Jammu, the BJP legislator said that the new officer has seized powers of all the subordinate staff and he has devised a system so that all the papers are routes through him. He has made others non-functional. In case he is on leave, the routine official works get halted till returns. He sought the intervention of the concerned minister.
The Minister while replying to the main question of BJP member Charanjeet Singh, and also allegations raised by Randhawa, maintained that with the coming of this new officer many things have improved there. The system at RTO office has been computerized and the allegations of graft are not based on facts. He however, assure to look into the matter.
Sharma further informed that on the direction of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the Government waived off Passe-nger taxes, withdrew Passenger Welfare Fund and Local Bodies taxes on National Highways for the benefit of transporters.
The Minister informed that the incentives were provided to the transporters to help them to cope with the losses due to law and order situation, increase in number of private vehicles and other modes of transportation in the State. He said the Government is committed to provide every possible support to the transporters.
He further said that transport industry is not an organized sector and it is not directly controlled by the Government. He said that there are 12911 buses, 19036 mini buses, 45527 taxis, 64929 three-wheelers and four-wheeler autos registered in the State which provide means of employment and transport facility for the people.
Replying to a supplementary of PDP member Khursheed Alam, the Minister said the Government cannot ban the entry of outside buses/ vehicles in the State as this step can result in banning the entry of J&K buses and other vehicles in other States also.
Follow our WhatsApp channel