Court asks to rehabilitate agents working in RTOs

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Thursday directed to rehabilitate agents evicted from the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) by engaging them at kiosks set up on RTOs.

The court directed the Transport Secretary to identify and compile a list of agents working at all RTO offices.

The court also directed to complete the process within two months, said sources.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the Odisha Motor Vehicle Field Workers’ Association to allow the agents/brokers to function from the RTO premises.

Earlier, the Odisha government had banned the entry of agents to the RTOs.

Besides, the government has also proposed to set up e-Kiosks to make the paperwork as hassle-free as possible.

Following the direction, police have arrested several middlemen from the RTOs.

Recently, Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera informed the state assembly that 125 middlemen have been arrested from various RTO offices across Odisha.  

Meanwhile, the Transport Minister said that the government would not slash the fines for violation of traffic rules under the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019.

 “Why to reduce the penalties? This is a matter of safety of life and property of people,” the Minister said.