Nagpur: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday informed the legislative assembly that regional transport officer (RTO) Ravindra Bhuyar, along with motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) Yogesh More and Ganesh Virane, has been sent on compulsory leave pending an inquiry into allegations of corruption and irregularities in the transport department.Bhuyar, who is currently posted as the RTO in Akola, courted controversy during his tenure as Nagpur RTO. The latest action comes after allegations of irregularities and corruption were raised in the state legislature.The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, who alleged that a major racket was operating in the RTO department in Vidarbha under the leadership of a retired official. He claimed that the network was involved in illegal collections and targeted honest officials by allegedly misusing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).“There is a racket operating with officials who have remained posted in the same RTO department in Vidarbha. These officers carry out illegal recoveries and target honest officials by using the Anti-Corruption Bureau. There is collusion between the RTO and the ACB,” Wadettiwar alleged in the House. He also said he would submit audio clips to the state govt as evidence.Responding to the allegations, Sarnaik said the state govt has taken a serious view of complaints regarding corruption and irregularities in the RTO department and has initiated immediate steps to ensure transparency and accountability.Sarnaik informed the House that the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has begun investigating the allegations. Besides, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Priyanka Narnaware has been directed to submit its report within one month.Sarnaik said Bhuyar, More and Virane, against whom allegations were raised in the Assembly have been sent on compulsory leave until the inquiry is completed.The minister also assured the House that no person found guilty would be shielded. He said govt is committed to taking strict and impartial action in accordance with the law and ensuring transparent, clean and corruption-free administration in the transport department.
