Undertaking must to get route permit in WB

"Such an undertaking has been made mandatory for issuing permits," Mitra told reporters here today.

All regional transport officers (RTO) have already been asked to act accordingly, he said adding steps would be taken against the owners if they fail to deploy their vehicles immediately after receiving the permit.

The minister, who held a meeting with some RTOs of Kolkata and adjacent districts, said they have been asked to submit reports in such cases within three days.

In case of renewal of route permits for autorickshaws and for taxis, delay to put the vehicles on the road after receiving the sanction has to be reported too, he said.

Mitra said the government would henceforth evaluate the performance of all RTOs and take appropriate steps in case of any lapse.

"The RTOs must submit reports of their works on weekly basis and there should not be any pending work ... The present delay in work in this department is due to misrule by the erstwhile Left Front Government. Don't be swayed away by any malafide campaign on this issue," he said.

Meanwhile, the proposed indefinite strike by West Bengal contract carriage owners and operators association scheduled from tomorrow has been called off following assurances by the transport minister allowing them permit to ply in three adjacent districts.