MUMBAI: In the largest-ever recruitment at the RTO, 541 officers-370 assistant inspectors and 171 inspectors-are being inducted. The recruitment would mean stringent vehicle fitness tests and better checks on autos and taxis. The largest-ever recruitment of 370 assistant inspectors and 171 inspectors for the RTO will mean more stringent fitness checks on vehicles, including school buses, and stricter monitoring of errant auto-rickshaws and taxis. It has been made mandatory for those applying for assistant inspector's post to have at least a year's experience as a mechanic at a garage recognized for repair and maintenance of cars, trucks and buses. This is to ensure that RTO officials know the mechanics of vehicles. Also, it will be mandatory for applicants of assistant inspector's post to have at least one year's experience as a mechanic at a service garage. This will ensure that the RTO officials are well trained in the mechanics of cars, SUVs and also trucks and buses. "The applicants need to hold diplomas in certain engineering streams like automobile or mechanical engineering. Besides the garage experience, we will insist on possession of at least two licences (two-wheeler or LMV or HMV)," said state transport commissioner V N More. Said state transport commissioner V N More, "Those who will be recruited in near future need to be at least diploma holders in certain engineering streams - such as automobile or mechanical engineering. We will also insist on two other parameters - a compulsary one year experience at a recognized garage on repair and maintenance of cars as well as trucks/buses, and possession of at least two driving licences (two-wheeler or LMV or HMV)." He stated that those not fulfilling the two parameters may find it difficult to get a job in the RTO. Trained and experienced officers will ensure stringent check of vehicles coming for the mandatory annual passing/fitness tests. "Nearly 300 vehicles, including autos, taxis and buses, arrive at the RTO for fitness tests daily. However, there are only three to four officers at the RTO to inspect the 300 vehicles," said an RTO official, requesting anonymity. Inspectors and assistant inspectors check vehicles randomly and clear the remaining merely on appearance, he said. "If the vehicle looks fit, it is given a certificate," he stated. In fact, it will also help commuters in a big way as more trained and experienced officers would mean stricter checking of vehicles when they come for the mandatory annual passing/fitness tests. "Nearly 300 vehicles, including autos, taxis and buses arrive at the RTO premises daily for the fitness tests. With just three to four officers at present, it is not physically possible to check every vehicle properly," said a RTO official, requesting anonymity. He stated that inspectors and assistant inspectors often conducted random checkings and cleared the remaining vehicles merely based on the appearance. "If the vehicle looks fit, it is given a certificate," he stated. The HC had recently directed the transport department to follow proper procedures while conducting fitness tests of commercial transport vehicles, including school buses, autos and taxis. As per the Motor Vehicle Rules, officers have to check every aspect of the vehicle-engine efficiency, brakes, gears, e-meter, battery, headlights, condition of vehicle/seats/leg space, etc. "It takes five minutes to 15 minutes to check a vehicle, depending on the make of the vehicle," said an official. The biggest flaw in the entire process is the shortage of manpower. And this problem is likely to be redressed with the induction of 541 new officers across the RTOs in Maharashtra. The high court recently took serious note of the problem and directed transport department to follow proper procedures while conducting fitness tests of commercial transport vehicles including school buses and autos/taxis. As per the Motorvehicle Rules, officers have to check every aspect of the vehicle - from engine efficiency, brakes, gears, e-meter, battery to headlights, condition of vehicle/seats/legspace, etc. "It takes minimum 5 minutes to maximum 15 minutes to conduct a fitness examination, depending on the make of the vehicle," an official said. But the biggest flaw in the entire process is the shortage of manpower. And this problem is likely to be redressed with the induction of 541 new officers across the RTOs in Maharashtra. A significant number of the new officers will be posted at Tardeo, Wadala, Andheri, Thane and Navi Mumbai RTOs, sources said. The new staff will also be deployed for other duties like conducting driving tests, issuing licences and inspecting vehicles for new registrations. This will expedite work at the RTOs' licence and registration department and reduce the waiting period of the common man (applicants). A significant number of new officers will be posted at Tardeo, Wadala, Andheri, Thane and Navi Mumbai RTOs, sources said. The new staff will also be deployed for other duties like conducting driving tests, issuing licences and inspecting vehicles for new car registrations. This will also expedite the work of licences and registration department at RTOs and reduce waiting period of the common man (applicants). Some of the officers will also be posted in flying squads. The number of flying squads at each RTO can be now increased from three-four to six. Each squad has an inspector and an assistant inspector. They can also attend to complaints from auto and taxi commuters. A small group of officers will also be posted in flying squads. At present every RTO in Mumbai has three to four flying squads. This can be increased to six squads, with each squad having an inspector and an assistant inspector. They can also attend to complaints from auto and taxi commuters. "In the past 25 years, vehicles have increased manifold (from two lakh to over 20 lakh) in the Mumbai region. But, the RTO manpower did not grow proportionally," More said. Said More," In the past 25 years, the vehicular population in Mumbai region increased from two lakh to over 20 lakh. But the RTO manpower did grow proportionally. With 450 new posts being sanctioned recently, we hope it solves the staff problem."
Follow the Times of India - City section
MOST POPULAR Across Times of India
No comments:
Post a Comment