<p>They are using Rs 10 notes and Mumbai Lakshmi lottery tickets as mode of identification to let overloaded trucks go scot free. Through this method, while the IMVs - kingpins of the scam - receive their ‘share’, transporters can overload their trucks to transport goods without being penalised.<br /><br />The lottery tickets and the Rs 10 notes - which have the truck number, a designated code of the particular IMV and a seal of the date when it was issued to the vehicle owner - are to be produced at the checkposts.<br /><br />This modus operandi has been adopted by many transport companies to ensure overloading of trucks goes ‘undetected’. While Sections 113 and 114 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, prescribe a load capacity on trucks, there appears to be a nexus between the officials and transporters who ensure that the vehicles are not checked for violations. <br /><br />Despite the cap of 10 tonnes on a six-wheeler, 16 tonnes on a 10-wheeler and 21 tonnes on a 12-wheeler, the vehicle owners can escape being checked at the checkposts by simply producing the lottery tickets or Rs 10 notes. On a given day, overloading of vehicles goes up to 20 tonnes on a six-wheeler, 40 tonnes on a 10-wheeler and 50 tonnes on a 12-wheeler. <br /><br />On the Bangalore-Hubli route, the transport department has a minimum of seven checkposts which entertain these ‘tokens’ and let the transport vehicles off the hook. These tickets range in denominations to help the IMVs and department officials calculate their ‘share’. <br /><br />According to sources in the transport industry, the tickets are priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 20,000 depending on the value of the consignment being transported and the distance it travels.<br /><br />The tickets are generally valid for one month and have to be renewed by transporters who travel regularly. When contacted, Transport Commissioner V Shyam Bhat admitted that there appears to be a nexus between certain sections of the transport department and private individuals who play a key role in the racket that has resulted in losses to the tune of crores of rupees to the State exchequer. <br /><br />“It is difficult to nab these culprits and arrest the problem, despite the best of efforts. Once our proposal to have computerised weigh bridges is approved, it will end the lottery ticket mafia,” said Bhat. <br /></p>
<p>They are using Rs 10 notes and Mumbai Lakshmi lottery tickets as mode of identification to let overloaded trucks go scot free. Through this method, while the IMVs - kingpins of the scam - receive their ‘share’, transporters can overload their trucks to transport goods without being penalised.<br /><br />The lottery tickets and the Rs 10 notes - which have the truck number, a designated code of the particular IMV and a seal of the date when it was issued to the vehicle owner - are to be produced at the checkposts.<br /><br />This modus operandi has been adopted by many transport companies to ensure overloading of trucks goes ‘undetected’. While Sections 113 and 114 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, prescribe a load capacity on trucks, there appears to be a nexus between the officials and transporters who ensure that the vehicles are not checked for violations. <br /><br />Despite the cap of 10 tonnes on a six-wheeler, 16 tonnes on a 10-wheeler and 21 tonnes on a 12-wheeler, the vehicle owners can escape being checked at the checkposts by simply producing the lottery tickets or Rs 10 notes. On a given day, overloading of vehicles goes up to 20 tonnes on a six-wheeler, 40 tonnes on a 10-wheeler and 50 tonnes on a 12-wheeler. <br /><br />On the Bangalore-Hubli route, the transport department has a minimum of seven checkposts which entertain these ‘tokens’ and let the transport vehicles off the hook. These tickets range in denominations to help the IMVs and department officials calculate their ‘share’. <br /><br />According to sources in the transport industry, the tickets are priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 20,000 depending on the value of the consignment being transported and the distance it travels.<br /><br />The tickets are generally valid for one month and have to be renewed by transporters who travel regularly. When contacted, Transport Commissioner V Shyam Bhat admitted that there appears to be a nexus between certain sections of the transport department and private individuals who play a key role in the racket that has resulted in losses to the tune of crores of rupees to the State exchequer. <br /><br />“It is difficult to nab these culprits and arrest the problem, despite the best of efforts. Once our proposal to have computerised weigh bridges is approved, it will end the lottery ticket mafia,” said Bhat. <br /></p>
