The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) in Kerala has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at increasing transparency and uniformity in field duty, attendance marking, and declaration of personal cash held by officials. The order was issued by Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam.
Key Features of the New SOP
The new SOP establishes comprehensive arrangements for officials who proceed directly to field duty without first reporting at the office. All officials assigned to field duty must mandatorily record their attendance through facial recognition technology using a dedicated mobile app before commencing duty.
Cash Declaration Requirements
Officials traveling in MVD vehicles are required to enter details of the personal cash in their possession in a temporary cash declaration register kept in the vehicle before starting the journey. They must also mark attendance via the facial recognition system. Those reporting for duty in their own vehicles must declare cash details immediately upon reaching the workplace, before beginning duty. If needed, these details may be recorded in the driving licence test attendance list, certificate of fitness test attendance list, or in the temporary cash register maintained in departmental vehicles. Attendance must then be confirmed through the facial recognition system.
After completing field duty and returning to the office, officials are required to sign the attendance register and compulsorily record details related to personal cash in the official Private Cash Declaration Register.
Implementation and Oversight
The Transport Commissioner has directed senior officials to ensure strict implementation of the new guidelines by all Joint Transport Commissioners, Deputy Transport Commissioners, General RTOs, Enforcement RTOs, and Joint RTOs across the state. Copies of the order have been distributed to all field officers, including check-post motor vehicle inspectors.
According to the order, these measures are intended to ensure greater transparency in field inspections and to prevent allegations of corruption within the Motor Vehicles Department. The new SOP marks a significant step toward leveraging technology for accountability and integrity in public service.
