RTO to accept only 120 license applications a day

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Regional Transport Officer Mallikarjuna C informed that the quality of driving test has seen a considerable dip due to the acceptance of 150 to 200 license applications a day in the RTO office. With two inspectors in Mangalore RTO, it is not feasible to take up 200 driving tests a day. So the RTO has decided to accept only 120 applications on daily basis so that the license can be issued after appropriate scrutiny, he said. In order to avoid any delay in the license test, he said that the driving test camps which used to be held twice a week in Vittal, Mulki, Moodbidri and other centres will be held four days a week from now onwards.

Elite tax evaders

The RTO has also asked the owners of plush cars and SUVs in the city who have their vehicles bearing registration numbers from other states, in order to escape from paying the heavy tax amount, to approach the Mangalore RTO and register the vehicles here. The RTO has set a deadline of September 30 to convert the registration, failing which the RTO will take steps to seize vehicles in the city bearing registration number from outside the State.

“There are approximately 70-80 vehicles in the city, mostly belonging to influential persons, bearing the number plate of Pondicherry (PY) or Kerala (KL). They opt for registration outside Karnataka owing to the heavy vehicle tax (20 per cent of the vehicle amount) they are obliged to pay here. The Mangalore RTO will ensure that no loss is incurred to the State exchequer from the tax evaders, hence all the high end vehicles which ply in the city for more than six months will be liable to convert their registration,” said Mallikarjuna. He added that the RTO will refund the tax amount if the vehicle owner moves out of the State permanently.

Automated driving track

The RTO also has plans to open Automated Driving Track for the functioning of effective driving test in the city vicinity. The RTO said that they have requested the Deputy Commissioner to allocate land for laying Automated Driving Track in the city. “It would be better if the land is provided in Baikampady, if not then the land could be allotted in Vamanjoor where the driving test track is functioning at present. The automated sensors will quicken the driving test process and reduce the burden on the shoulders of the inspectors,” he said.

Taking note of the loopholes in city bus plying, the RTO has instructed the city buses to issue tickets to the passengers, failing which the bus permit will be seized. In the backdrop of having received several complaints regarding overcrowd in school buses and auto rickshaws, the RTO has warned of taking up stringent action if the drivers are found violating the rule.

‘Check before using beacon lights’

The RTO is likely to ask the Chairmen of Corporations and Boards to remove the beacon light carried on the top of their government vehicles. RTO Mallikarjuna C has informed that he would request the Chairmen of Boards carrying beacon (which is against the law) in their vehicles to remove it at the earliest, failing which they would be served with a notice on the same.