Public transport unions accuse RTO of being corrupt, ask CM to form committee to probe charges

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN

Unions of several public transport operators protested against the regional transport officer (administration) of Dehradun, Sunil Sharma and burnt his effigy claiming that his alleged involvement in corrupt practices is pushing thousands of people towards unemployment. They alleged that the State government has given so much freedom to RTO authorities that they have started taking arbitrary decisions on their own. They claimed that the RTO has given approval to operate mini buses also known as Tata Magics that run on petrol too but Vikrams were not given permission to continue which is also a violation of guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which indicates corruption in RTO. They claimed that RTO has also issued stage carriage permits to the operators of these mini buses which is also against the rules. The president of the City Bus Union Vijay Vardhan Dandriyal said that there is a provision to collect tax from vehicles which are not surrendered by operators but Sharma has allegedly waived off the tax of buses operating on the Jhajhra to Raipur route without them surrendering which also point towards corruption. He said that there are several violations done by Sharma which are being neglected by authorities concerned. He said that all unions have appealed to the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to constitute an inquiry committee to probe allegations against Sharma who must be transferred to another division during the investigation. Various unions including Vikram Jan Kalyan Samiti Dehradun, Doon Auto Rickshaw Union, Dehradun Truck Operator Association, Tata Magic Union and Devbhoomi Truck Operator Welfare Committee were among the protestors.