Govt car used to ferry passengers; probe on

Ravinder Saini

Mahendragarh, July 13

Taking serious note of a complaint on social media alleging that passengers were being ferried in a government vehicle meant for use by officers, the Transport Department has directed Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)-cum-Registering Authority (Motor Vehicles), Narnaul, to look into the matter personally and take immediate necessary action. He has also been asked to submit the action taken report by July 16.

A letter in this respect has been sent to the Narnaul SDM from Vijay Kumar Joshi, Motor Vehicle Officer (T), for Transport Commissioner, Haryana, on Friday. Interestingly, a copy of the letter has also been shared by Principal Secretary (Transport) Navdeep Virk IPS on his ‘X’ handle.

As per reports, Balraj Jangra, a local resident, while tagging Principal Secretary (Transport), had posted a picture of a Scorpio vehicle, bearing government registration number plate, on his ‘X’ account yesterday. ‘Haryana Sarkar’ in Hindi was also written above the number plate of the vehicle.

“This is a government vehicle. Around 5.30 am today, it came to the Kanina bus stand from Mahendragarh side and left after picking up passengers from there. I have seen many such vehicles picking up passengers many times. Is this correct? Besides, several small private vehicles like Eeco, Ertiga, Wagon R etc. pick up passengers from Mahendragarh and take them towards Rewari-Gurugram from 5 am to 9 am and make the return journey in the evening. It causes huge revenue losses to the Transport Department every day,” claimed Jangra on ‘X’.

Acting swiftly on the complaint on social media, the state transport authorities wrote to the SDM, Narnaul.

“This office has been informed through social media (‘X’) that a Scorpio vehicle registered under the vehicle class ‘Motor Car’, is being used commercially i.e. for carrying passengers from the Kanina bus stand which is a sheer violation of rules. As per sub-section 26 of the Section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, ‘Motor Car’ means a motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, Omni bus, road-roller, tractor, motorcycle. It is an urgent matter which needs immediate attention at your end,” states the letter sent to the SDM. Dr Jitendra Ahlawat, SDM, Narnaul, said the inquiry had been initiated.