BENGALURU: The hapless public, who usually had run from pillar to post to get things done at RTO offices, were a relieved lot as their long pending requests were processed in a jiffy, thanks to a week-long drive carried out by the Aam Aadmi Party.
A working woman, who has been trying for the past 10 days to get her Registration Certificate (RC) book at Rajajinagar RTO, thanked the campaign organisers, as she was able to get the same on Wednesday without any hassle.
She was very angry about the official-tout nexus and wanted stern action be taken against corrupt officials. In another incident the Rajajinagar RTO officials had to return the bribe they had collected from an auto driver.
Aam Aadmi Party, Karnataka’s ‘Bribe Free Karnataka’ and ‘Bribe Free Bangalore Week’ (October 13 to 17) is drawing a good response and its anti-corruption helpline 9342522223 is getting tremendous feedback. Launched on October 10 by freedom fighter H. S. Doreswamy, the helpline has in the last two days registered nearly 300 complaints. Aggrieved people can call from 9 am to 5 pm get their legitimate work done at various government offices, without paying bribes, said Prithvi Reddy, AAP National Executive Committee member.
On the second day, volunteers and party members stationed at the RTO and Sub Registrar’s offices in the Rajajinagar BDA complex to help citizens get their work done without paying bribes.
“The institution of Lokayukta has been made toothless and non-existent. There is no fear of law. Besides, government officials owe patronage to elected representatives and admit the fact that they have a target which should be shared. How can public representatives become part of corruption,” Mr Reddy questioned.
Narendra Holkar, RTO Joint Commissioner, who was at the location, explained to AAP members the recent improvements and changes that have been implemented at RTOs to curb corruption.
“Any citizen should be able to come to the RTOs directly and get their work done, without having to go through agents or middlemen. Our processes have been made more transparent and online payment and other services have been introduced. More
people should be made aware of and avail these facilities so that middlemen can then be eliminated completely,” he said.
