While eight inspectors of motor vehicles (IMVs) are required to look after the issue of driving licences at the Mangaluru Mangaluru Regional Transport Office (RTO), only two have been handling the work.
In all, just 32 personnel work in the office, which has a sanctioned strength of 98, said Senior Motor Vehicle Inspector and in-charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) John Misquith, here recently. Answering a question during the Janaspandana programme at the RTO about officials not carrying out vehicle checking exercise, Mr. Misquith said unlike the police there were not enough personnel in his office to do the work.
“Of the 10 senior IMVs posts, two are vacant. With me holding the charge of Senior RTO and also of post ARTO, it leaves only seven senior vehicle inspectors in the field,” he said.
Mr. Misquith said that a shortage of staff was also affecting services namely issuance of learner’s licence, driving licence and vehicle registration, which were among the services that have become online since June 1 with adaptation of ‘Sarathi4’ and ‘Vahan 4’ systems. “With the two systems, every process of our department is online. Our personnel are yet to adopt to the new systems. There is some delay in providing the service to people,” he said.
Of the posts that are vacant include 11 posts of IMVs, nine posts of First Division Assistants, two posts of auditors and one post each of treasurer and Superintendent.
“This is the situation of not only of Mangaluru but also in other RTOs in the State. Government has initiated the process of filling vacant posts,” he said.
Anil Rao, a local resident, who was the lone citizen to take part in the Janaspandana programme, had wide range of questions for Mr. Misquith.
When Mr. Rao asked Mr. Misquith about the need to cancel the permit of private city buses using shrill horns, Mr. Misquith said as per law they can only impose a fine.
Mr. Rao spoke about private buses violating the permit condition by not plying on the designated routes. He also pointed to problems for motorists with buses stopping at undesignated places on the route. He sought action against autorickshaws that make use of shrill horns.
