RTO officials upset as minister backs crooked autorickshaw drivers

Regional transport office (RTO) officials who launched a drive against faulty meters in autorickshaws expected bouquets, not brickbats, for highlighting the fleecing of passengers by dishonest drivers.

Suburban guardian minister Naseem Khan on Tuesday called officials from all three RTOs — Tardeo, Wadala and Andheri — and gave them a dressing down for supposedly harassing rickshaw drivers.

Khan told DNA that the drivers complained to him that RTO officers were harassing them and demanding fines to the tune of Rs18,000.

"RTO officials can initiate action against illegal meter shops but they must stop unnecessarily harassing rickshaw drivers. I too have been complaining against such repair shops," he said.

The minister told RTO officials to give adequate time to the drivers to respond to complaints. He said it was the responsibility of the RTO to ensure that the meters were properly checked. Hundreds of rickshaw drivers gathered at Khan's office in Kurla while he conducted the meeting.

Khan said the RTO can continue its drive based on genuine complaints, but it must stop harassing rickshaw drivers. "We all know what happens at RTO offices and how things work," he said.
The minister's criticism has upset and demoralised RTO officers.

"There is no point working sincerely and taking action on passenger complaints if there is going to be such interference. The drive against faulty meters has received a setback now and no one will bother to continue with it," said an RTO official.

Another official said though the RTO approved the meters in offices, they were tampered with by drivers on the field. The RTO only approves meters that function properly, he said.