HC warns RTO to follow norms while issuing fitness certificate

"Public safety depends upon the fitness of vehicles...We want the authorities to ensure that inspection be carried out as per norms," Justices D D Sinha and Vijaya Kapse-Tahilramani said while hearing a PIL alleging violation of procedures while issuing fitness certificates.

The judges warned that henceforth those transport officers who issue fitness certificates without following procedures will be taken to task.

The Court expressed dissatisfaction over the affidavit filed by state Transport Commissioner V N More, saying he had not properly dwelt upon the issue.

The Judges asked him to file an additional affidavit by September 3, giving details on how his department intends to deal with the issue.

Citing an instance of vehicle checks in Pune, the PIL claimed that 240 vehicles are checked every day and there are 27 inspectors employed for this purpose. They spend as little as five to ten minutes per vehicle as against the time limit of 30 to 45 minutes prescribed by the Automotive Research Association of India.

In Mumbai Central, 44,938 vehicles were registered till March 2011 and every day 105 licences were renewed by the Regional Transport Officer. In Mumbai East, 66,109 vehicles were registered and 141 licences were renewed daily. As against this, Mumbai West accounted for 1,03,978 vehicles and 250 licences were renewed every day.