RTA officials draw flak for corruption at inter-state check posts in Adilabad

Officials of the Regional Transport Authority have come under severe scanner for extracting Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 from the drivers of six-wheelers and 10-wheelers even as they possess all documents.

Adilabad: Officials of the Regional Transport Authority are drawing flak for collecting bribes from drivers of trucks and goods carriers at inter-state check posts located at Bhoraj in Jainath mandal in Adilabad district, Beltharoda in Bhainsa mandal of Nirmal district and Wankidi mandal centre in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.

Hundreds of vehicles transporting essential commodities and agriculture produce from northern parts of the country to south India and vice-versa by crossing the check-posts particularly at Bhoraj and Wankidi mandal centre every day. The check-posts fetch an income anywhere between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7 crore to the government per month, officials said.

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The officials of the RTA check overloading of goods, illegal transportation of goods and various violations of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 at these check-posts by discharging duties in three shifts a day. They, however, have come under severe scanner for extracting Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 from the drivers of six-wheelers and 10-wheelers even as they possess all documents.

Exposing the corruption, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials recently seized unaccounted cash of Rs 62,500 from the office of the check-post at Bhoraj. The sleuths seized unaccounted cash of Rs 11,630 at the same check-post in May. They carried out surprise raids on the check-post following widespread allegations of corruption levelled against the officials.

Drivers of the lorries, trucks and goods carriers alleged that they were forced to bribe the officials at these check-posts even as they were permitted to transport goods and carry required documents. They said they were paying around Rs 1,000 at the inter-state check posts situated in Telangana and Maharashtra, located in a gap of 15 kilometres.

They also say it is an open secret that officials of the agency are competing with one another to work at the check-posts considering the huge scope for income through bribes. Some officials are sticking to the check-posts for quite a long time. A Motor Vehicle Inspector discharged duties at the check-post in Bhoraj for around 10 years in the past.

RTA Deputy Commissioner, Adilabad, was not available for a comment.