Mangalore RTO without chief since 2 months

In-Charge officer Seva Nayak has to look after Mangalore, Puttur offices

Ever since the then RTO J Purushottam was transferred from Mangalore to Dharwad owing to an outbreak of corruption case in the month of May, the post of RTO in Mangalore has been lying vacant. In the absence of RTO in Mangalore, the office affairs are now looked after by an In-Charge RTO Seva Nayak from Puttur who has been shouldered with the responsibility of looking after both the Mangalore and Puttur offices.

Seva Nayak who has been made to travel from Puttur to Mangalore for accomplishing his duty, though declines the work posed on him as a burden, finds it difficult to provide justice to both the offices.

Sources reveal that, after the outbreak of corruption case in the month of May, the post of Mangalore RTO which was otherwise a most sought after post, has now turned out to be a post with no demand.

‘Refuse to take charge’

In fact, the Transport Department had tried to transfer two officers to Mangalore, but the efforts went in vain as the officers reportedly refused to take charge.

Transport department has been said to have appointed N M Balavalli, the former RTO of Dharwad as Mangalore RTO. Strangely, Balavalli who was supposed to take charge on June 2 has not yet turned his feet towards Mangalore office.

When Deccan Herald contacted the Principal Secretary of the Transport Department Shankarlinge Gowda who is expected to keep track of the situation, showed his astonishment towards the news.  

“We have appointed Balavalli as the new RTO to Mangalore. He was under medical treatment months back and so we had to shift the responsibility to Seva Nayak for the time being. Balavalli was supposed to attend his duty by now, but I am surprised to know that he has not yet taken the charge,” he said. However, the Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety Bhaskar Rao, said that for reasons unknown, Balavalli has not taken charge of the office.  “Being aware of the situation there, I will make some alternative arrangements in a near future,” he informed.

When Deccan Herald tried to contact Balavalli, he was not available for the response.
Now, the only option that has been left is to keep the fingers crossed and wait for the arrival of the prospective RTO.