Bengaluru: Approaching a regional transport office without an agent is a nightmare as the public can never get their work done. After receiving many complaints of agents calling the shots at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Koramangala, a team from Lanchamukta Karnataka Nirmana Vedike decided to raise their voice against it and complained to Regional Transport Officer K.T. Hallaswamy. The officer took immediate action and banned all agents from entering the office premises. But retribution came thick and fast, and Mr Hallaswamy was transferred overnight.
Vedike president V.R. Marati told Deccan Chronicle, “After receiving complaints, I entered the Koramangala RTO to check, and I had no clue as to which window to approach to begin the process. An agent who was standing around spotted me, got me an appointment and insisted I take his service to 'avoid all the hassles'. When I declined, he said that it would be difficult for me to get the work done on my own. We decided to complain about it and immediately made a Facebook live of the entire process of how these people work illegally.”
Mr Marati said that the regular complaint is that agents enjoy free access to all departments, while the common man suffers. The Vedike got Mr Hallaswamy’s to act against the agent menace.
“Mr Hallaswamy took action immediately and stopped agents entering the RTO. A few agents tried to force themselves into the premises, but that didn't work. For the prompt action taken by Mr Hallaswamy, he was gifted with a transfer overnight. In his place, the department brought in Siddappa, who had been trapped by the ACB at Rajajinagar RTO. This sent out a message loud and clear that no one can mess with the agents, who are more powerful than any officer. But we will continue our fight for a corruption-free RTO office. We will complain to higher officials,” Mr Marati said.
The Vedike also demanded that all tinted glasses at the RTO be removed as these cabins are being used by the officers to collect money from the public.
