In a major crackdown on corruption, the Rajasthan State Transport Department has issued strict directives to all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state. The offices have been ordered to complete their inquiries into the alleged vehicle number plate allotment scam and submit their findings to the department headquarters by December 31.
Directive for Criminal Action and Detailed Probe
The department has instructed RTOs to not just investigate but also initiate criminal proceedings wherever violations of the law are uncovered. To ensure a thorough and uniform investigation, the headquarters has circulated a detailed format that highlights all possible anomalies officials must look for during the probe.
Senior officials explained that the irregularities under scrutiny are multifaceted. They primarily include:
- The illegal allotment of old vehicle registration numbers whose renewals had lapsed.
- The assignment of number plates that are already officially linked to other, existing vehicles.
- The improper issuance of number series intended for two-wheelers or commercial vehicles to private four-wheelers like cars.
Scam Unfolds: From Detection to State-Wide Action
The scandal first came to light in March when officials at the Jaipur RTO (I) office detected suspicious backlog transactions being entered into the department's digital system. This discovery triggered a deeper review, revealing a web of alleged malpractices.
Following the initial findings, the transport department took its first formal step on November 25, instructing all regional and district offices to lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) against any staff members found to be involved in the fraudulent number allotment racket.
A senior transport department official emphasized the scale of the response, stating, "All RTOs have been asked to start filing FIRs in the vehicle number allotment scam and submit a report to the headquarters by Dec 31. We have asked all transport offices to maintain a record of different kinds of cases and inform the headquarters."
System-Wide Verification and Preventive Measures
In Jaipur, authorities have already launched a rigorous physical verification drive. Teams are cross-checking vehicle registration documents with official records in the VAHAN portal to ensure transparency and compliance. This on-ground verification is crucial to match physical vehicles with their digital records.
As an immediate interim measure, the registration certificates of all vehicles under scrutiny have been flagged with a "not to be transacted" status on the national VAHAN portal. This freeze means the owners of these vehicles cannot sell or transfer them, and they are barred from accessing any transport department services until the verification process is fully completed and their documents are cleared.
The official added, "As this issue is spread within the department and allied services so deeply, all possible combinations of irregularities are being checked, and records will be maintained to ensure that such activities do not get repeated in future. If needed, measures will be put in place to strengthen our system." This indicates a commitment to systemic reform beyond just punishing the guilty.
The December 31 deadline sets a clear timeline for accountability, aiming to bring a swift conclusion to the investigation and pave the way for stronger safeguards in the vehicle registration process.
