HC unhappy with RTOs not following Motor Vehicles Act

The Bombay High Court today expressed concern over issuance of fitness certificates to vehicles by Regional Transport Offices in Maharashtra without mandatory checks stipulated under the Motor Vehicles Act.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Reveti Mohite-Dhere was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Srikant Karve, who had sought direction to RTOs to follow procedures laid down under the Act.
The petitioner alleged that on an average, 70 vehicles were cleared everyday by every RTO in Maharashtra by issuing fitness certificates, and added that such a large number of clearances were impossible if mandatory checks were being followed.

The bench said that if these allegations were true, then it was a serious matter.
The judges asked the authorities to ensure that the Act was followed in letter and spirit.
Uday Warunkikar, appointed amicus curiae (friend of the court), said he had learnt that vehicles arriving at the Thane RTO for fitness certificates had to wait in a queue and often had to remain there even till the next day, leading to traffic jams and public nuisance.

The judges noted that this was not proper, and suggested that the RTO may fix a time schedule for vehicles, so that their turn comes on the same day itself.

The hearing on the PIL was adjourned to October 17.
The Transport Commissioner had admitted before the court earlier that it was not possible to inspect all vehicles for issuance of fitness certificate due to lack of manpower.
On hearing this, the Court expressed its displeasure and directed the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which is associated with the Ministry of Industries, to form expert teams to conduct surprise checks at RTOs in Maharashtra.