Cong alleges irregularities in RTOs under transport dept headed by Sena, Fadnavis assures inquiry

Mumbai, July 7 (PTI) The opposition Congress on Tuesday alleged that an organised racket involving serving and retired officials operates in the transport department and officers who refuse to cooperate with the illegal "collection network" are targeted through anti-corruption trap cases. After Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised the allegations in the assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said a high-level inquiry will be conducted. Notably, the Transport Department is headed by Pratap Sarnaik, who belongs to the BJP's ally in Mahayuti, the Shiv Sena. Speaking in the assembly, the transport minister admitted that cases of tax evasion have been noticed in the registration of expensive luxury vehicles, wherein some local vehicle owners have registered their cars in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry to avoid tax. Wadettiwar alleged that an organised racket involving serving and retired RTO (Regional Transport Office) officials is operating in the transport department, and officers who refuse to cooperate with the alleged illegal collection network are targeted through ACB trap cases. According to the Congress leader, irregularities include the registration of stolen vehicles at Nagpur RTO (Regional Transport Office). He claimed that some officials, who have been posted in the Vidarbha region for more than 15 years, are helping the racketeers. "The State is losing revenue because luxurious imported vehicles owned by local residents are being registered outside to avoid paying vehicle tax," the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader added. Replying to the discussion, Sarnaik admitted that cases of tax evasion have been noticed in the registration of expensive luxury vehicles. "Some vehicle owners, who are residents of Maharashtra and have taken vehicle loans from banks, have registered their vehicles in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry," the minister added. He said action has already begun against such cases. "To prevent tax evasion in future, verification of GST, loan documents, and residence proof will be made more stringent during vehicle registration," he said. The minister said the government has taken complaints regarding irregularities in the RTO department seriously, and inquiries into the complaints are already underway. A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under senior IPS officer Priyanka Narnavare to independently investigate complaints, audio recordings and other allegations relating to the RTO department. The committee also includes Additional Transport Commissioner Ravi Gaikwad and Vigilance Officer Mandar Jawale. The SIT has been directed to submit its report within one month. Meanwhile, intervening in the discussion, Fadnavis said the government has taken the alleged irregularities in RTOs seriously. "A high-level inquiry will be conducted into alleged irregularities, tax evasion and procedural violations in the Regional Transport Office (RTO) department," he said. PTI MR NSK