Hyderabad: Amid rampant broker interference, illegal slot booking and technical glitches in online services at regional transport authority (RTA) offices, transport department has ordered an immediate statewide inquiry and enforcement drive to curb irregularities and improve citizen services. Also, officials have been asked to remove unauthorised hoardings and boards put up by agents and touts and strictly enforce the ‘no entry for brokers’ rule at all service counters.In a memo issued on Wednesday, joint transport commissioner (vigilance & enforcement) M Chandra Shekhar Goud directed all deputy transport commissioners (DTCs), district transport officers (DTOs) and regional transport officers (RTOs) to conduct inquiries into the allegations and submit factual reports within seven days.The department acknowledged that recent reports pointed to delays in issuance of registration certificates (RCs) and driving licences (DLs), malfunctioning of the Sarathi and Vahan online portals, illegal slot booking by brokers and agents, and the growing presence of middlemen at RTA offices.The memo stated that if the allegations were found to be true, even partially, they would adversely affect the department’s image and undermine the purpose of digitisation, which was introduced to eliminate middlemen and ensure transparency.As part of the corrective measures, officials have been instructed to conduct surprise inspections at RTA offices and surrounding areas to identify and remove touts and brokers operating openly. They have also been asked to remove unauthorised hoardings and boards put up by agents and strictly enforce ‘No entry for brokers’ at all service counters.The transport department has ordered inquiries into RTA offices, including Khairatabad (Central Zone), Malakpet, Bandlaguda, Kondapur, Trimulgherry, Uppal, Medchal and Nagole, besides other offices under the respective jurisdictions. Officials have also been directed to clear pending cases where applicants have completed all formalities and made the required payments, but were yet to receive their RCs or DLs.The memo also warned that “if any official or staff member is found colluding with brokers or involved in irregularities, disciplinary action will be initiated immediately”. All DTCs and DTOs have been directed to submit a compliance and action taken report to the transport commissioner’s office within seven days. The department has classified the instructions as ‘Most Immediate’, signalling urgent implementation across the state.
