Chandigarh. Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij, taking cognizance of the reports of alleged rigging in the registration of vehicles on a large scale in the four sub-divisional (civil) offices of Ambala district, has directed the concerned officials to get a thorough investigation of all the sub-divisional (civil) offices and regional transport offices (civil) of the state done 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 Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department. Vij clarified that such irregularities cannot be limited to Ambala only but can also happen in other sub-divisional offices and regional transport offices of the state, hence investigation is necessary at the entire state level. It is noteworthy that cases of registration of vehicles at incomplete addresses in other states including Tamil Nadu have come to light through the SDM offices in Ambala, the investigation of which is ongoing. Apart from this, the Minister has also taken a strong stand against vehicles carrying dust, sand, soil and other loose construction materials being transported without covering them. He has directed that all such trucks/transport vehicles should be compulsorily covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means. In this regard, orders have been issued to all the District Transport Officers-cum-Secretaries and Regional Transport Authorities of the state. Drivers violating the rules will be challaned under the Motor Vehicles Act and Pollution Control Guidelines. Besides, instructions have also been given to make transporters and drivers aware about this matter.
At the same time, Vij has also given instructions to ensure compliance with the rules of Stage Carriage Scheme-2016 notified on 17 February 2017. He said that many complaints of violation of the terms of the scheme by private stage carriage operators are being received. He clarified that under the scheme, it is mandatory for the permit holders to provide travel facilities to students, concessional and free-pass holders in their buses and no subsidy will be given by the government for this. No kind of negligence will be tolerated in this matter.
Apart from this, instructions have also been given to take strict action against unauthorized entry of heavy vehicles in cities. The Minister said that often to save time and fuel, such vehicles turn towards congested areas, markets and sectors of the city, which disrupts traffic, causes damage to government property and increases the risk of accidents.
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