Chandigarh, April 22
Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij has taken cognizance of reports of large-scale irregularities in vehicle registrations in all four Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices of Ambala district and has directed the concerned officers that a thorough investigation of all Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state be conducted by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
In this regard, the Transport Minister has issued necessary instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. Sh. Vij clarified that such irregularities may not be limited to Ambala alone but could exist in other Sub-Divisional offices and RTOs across the state, making a state-wide probe necessary. It is noteworthy that cases have emerged in Ambala where vehicle registrations were carried out through SDM offices using incomplete addresses in Tamil Nadu and other states. These cases are currently under investigation.
Apart from this, the Minister has also taken a strict stance on vehicles transporting dust, sand and other loose construction materials without proper covering. He has directed that all such trucks and transport vehicles must be properly covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means. Orders have been issued to all District Transport Officers-cum-Secretaries and Regional Transport Authorities in the state in this regard. Violators will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act and Pollution Control guidelines. Additionally, transporters and drivers are to be made aware of these regulations.
Meanwhile, Vij has also directed officials to ensure strict compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016, notified on February 17, 2017. He said that numerous complaints have been received regarding violations of the scheme by private stage carriage operators. He emphasized that as per the scheme, permit holders are required to provide travel facilities to students, concessional pass holders, and free-pass holders in their buses, without any subsidy from the government. No laxity in this matter will be tolerated.
Furthermore, strict instructions have been issued to curb the unauthorized entry of heavy vehicles into city areas. The Minister noted that such vehicles often divert into congested areas, markets, and sectors to save time and fuel, leading to traffic congestion, damage to public property, and increased risk of accidents.
