Vehicles' fitness: HC asks ARAI to conduct checks on RTOs

Irked over the statement of Maharashtra's Transport Commissioner that it was not possible to inspect all vehicles to certify their fitness due to lack of manpower, the High Court today directed Automotive Research Association of India to conduct surprise checks on RTOs.
A division bench of Justices A S Oka and A R Joshi directed the ARAI, which works under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, to form expert teams to conduct surprise checks on Regional Transport Offices (RTO) in the state.
The expert team shall see if officials are abiding by the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act since fitness certificates are being issued without mandatory checks.

"Director of ARAI shall form a team of experts to randomly visit RTO offices in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad to ascertain whether the officials are abiding by rule 62 of the MV Act without prior notice to the RTO officers," the court ordered.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Shrikant Karve who sought direction to the RTO to follow proper procedure while issuing fitness certificates.
"It is shocking that only 60 per cent of vehicles which are due for renewal of fitness certificates are brought to the RTO," the court noted.

The court also said that the state should expeditiously fill up vacant posts in RTOs.

The court has directed the state to file a compliance report within six weeks and also deposit Rs 50,000 towards expenditure of the ARAI team.
The ARAI has to submit its report on August 8.