Only 17 staffs at RTO!

Mangaluru: According to the sanctioned number of posts, there should be 92 staffs here, but currently there are only 17!

This is the sad state of Mangaluru Regional Transport Office. Since the last 11 years, only the number of retirees is increasing but no new staffs are being appointed. As a result, those few who are presently working here are only being over-burdened with additional responsibilities.

The number of vehicles in the city is increasing by the day. The staffs at the RTO are responsible for the registration of new vehicles, driver’s license test, provision of driving license and learners license, accident vehicle inspection, vehicle fitness testing and several other duties. Therefore, 92 posts have been sanctioned at Mangaluru RTO to provide all these facilities. But, of the available posts, only 17 posts have been occupied including that of inspectors.

No appointment since 2008

What is surprising is that no appointment has been conducted since 2008. Every year, at least 5 staffs are retiring. Since no new staff has been appointed here, there is a fall in numbers here too. If there were 36 staffs last year, presently only 17 are remaining.

Inevitable situation

Due to the lack of staffs, those working here have to continue working here even after office hours. According to government rules, an employee must work from morning 9am to 5:30pm in the evening. But even thought its 8pm in the night, the work is not finished, inform the staff here. Besides, as there are no staffs to take care of important works, it has become impossible for the officials to effectively implement the rules.

The 17 staffs working at the RTO are responsible for all the works related to vehicles. Along with this, they are also responsible for many other duties like work regarding elections, conduction of pollution drives, road safety weeks and many other works. Because of this, the public is compelled to wait for months on together to get their work done, says vehicle driver Shiva Prasad.

No permanent RTO

August 2019 will mark as the fourth year without the appointment of a permanent RTO at the transport office in the city. In-charge RTO’s are getting transferred soon after appointment. Since 2015 till now, in-charge RTO’s have been appointed ten times, that too with some being appointed twice. Presently, Jhon Misquith is giving service as the in-charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer.

Staffs required

“The RTO in the city is facing a staff shortage. This issue is being proposed every time during the meetings. Rules are being followed up effectively. But, only with the appointment of the staff can the rule be implemented effectively,” informs Jhon Misquith, In-Charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer