License brokers shunted from the premises of RTO Kashmir, ARTO offices in valley districts

Srinagar: The RTO office Kashmir and several ARTO Offices mostly run by the Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) working as incharge ARTOs in Kashmir were till recently virtually run by the driving license brokers with the patronage of concerned ARTOs. Virtually rate list was fixed for the services to be rendered by the RTO Office Kashmir and ARTO Offices in a transparent manner. Be it a driving license, fitness certificate or a permit.
Reportedly licenses were being issued even without undergoing a driving test which is a huge criminal act.
The aggrieved complainants as quoted by local news gathering agency KNS said “in Baramulla District ARTO office was completely taken over by outsiders as Rs.5000 were being charged for a license, 2500 for registration, 7000 for transfer cases and also 10000 for rout permits. About 400 driving tests have been shown as conducted during a day which is not humanly possible and 500 licenses have been issued during the intervening Night of 22nd 23rd of March 2018.”
Official sources said that though there is a computerized system in the department and all efforts are being made by the Minister incharge Transport to change work culture in his department, but from the day new RTO took the charge the scenario seems to have changed. Present RTO Kashmir has taken remedial measures to set right the system. Among other measures the RTO Kashmir has directed installation of about 40 CCTV cameras and absolute expulsion of brokers from his premises besides other corrective measures.
Following the measures taken by RTO Kashmir the ARTOs of Ganderbal, Budgam and Baramulla have taken similar steps but brokers in convenience with some cronies of the department against the ARTOs trying to supplement the efforts of RTO Kashmir for making the working of the offices transparent and accountable.