The Hindu : DVAC raid unearths deep-rooted malady in RTO

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

DVAC raid unearths deep-rooted malady in RTO

By S. Ganesan

TIRUCHI MAY 21. Friday's DVAC (Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) operation at the Regional Transport Office here has not only dealt a body blow to the already-battered image of the department but also brought out the need for a total revamp of the system for ushering in transparency in its operations.

Besides, the role of the ubiquitous brokers, who have a vice-like grip over regional transport offices, has been brought into sharp focus. The public could hardly hope to complete any transaction without their assistance. The nexus between the brokers and the RTO employees is so well entrenched that those approaching the office directly are often referred to specific persons and asked to come through the ``proper channel'', says a senior Transport department official. The arrest of a broker and the escape of another during the DVAC operation and the experience of the complainant in the specific instance are a clear pointer to the state of affairs.

(M. Shanmuganadam of Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai, complained that an MV inspector had demanded Rs. 1,000 for inspecting his car, which was involved in an accident. The inspector, Jai Manohar, was caught accepting the bribe handed over by a broker, Durai. Another person, suspected to be a tout, however fled after receiving Rs. 300.)

However, the people are also to be blamed as a majority prefer to shell out a few hundred rupees to get their work done on their behalf rather than spend some time at the office, the official points out.

As many as 210 brokers operate in Tiruchi and about 60 of them were present at the RTO when the vigilance officers descended on the scene. The DVAC officials started conducting inquiries with all the touts individually on Monday.

Simultaneously, the labourious process of sifting through the large number of incriminating documents which were seized has also commenced. Sources in the DVAC indicated that a follow-up operation, based on the outcome of the investigations, could not be ruled out. If necessary, the case could also be split up, the sources said.

Meanwhile, RTO office witnessed unusually low-key activity on Monday after `the storm'. Some staff members were absent in the morning. Touts who hang around on the campus were conspicuous by their absence, though a few were seen operating some distance away from the RTO.

A cross-section of the people, who visited the RTO here, cited dearth of information, on the procedures to be followed and documentary evidence needed for various services, as the primary reason for the regional transport offices becoming hotbeds of corruption and nepotism. Information is at a premium, given the brusque demeanour of the employees, the people lamented. Simplification of procedures and publicising all information on the services could help to check corruption, they said.

Given the public perception of the department, the episode has not come as much of a surprise to many. But the shocking manner in which currencies and government documents were shoved away by the RTO employees clearly points to a deep-rooted malady.

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