MUMBAI: Around 300 Maharashtra transport officials, including deputy and assistant RTOs and motor vehicle inspectors, received show-cause notices for allegedly granting fitness certificates to commercial vehicles without conducting mandatory safety tests, such as vehicle-tracking and speed-limiting, and for flouting prescribed procedures.
The inquiry was ordered following complaints that prescribed procedures and standard operating protocols were being bypassed while issuing fitness certificates. The show-cause notices allege that the officials failed to discharge their duties in accordance with applicable rules and government directions. The officials have been asked to submit written explanations stating why disciplinary action and departmental inquiries should not be initiated against them. “The officials will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
A special committee constituted on the state government’s directions submitted its report to the transport department on June 3, flagging several instances of non-compliance with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and government directives. Officials said the inquiry also found procedural violations involving Forms 38 and 38A, which are part of the vehicle fitness certification process. In some cases, Form 38 was allegedly issued more than the prescribed 14 days after Form 38A was generated.
“These findings indicate several instances of non-compliance with the prescribed rules and procedures,” said a transport department official. Further action will be taken after their explanations are examined,” said another official. Senior transport department officials said administrative action, including suspension in appropriate cases, could be considered after the responses are probed.
