RTO office remains locked, staff hassled

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had launched faceless RTO services across the state on October 29 with the aim of making transport-related services more accessible and transparent to the public.

As a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister “locked” the RTO office to mark the end of physical visits for transport-related works on Wednesday. Interestingly, the office has remained locked since then, leaving the entire staff without a proper place to sit.

One of the RTO staff members, wishing not to be named, said: “The CM locked the office to show that Sewa Kendras will now handle RCs, driving licences and other related services. But since that day, the office has literally remained locked. None of us dared to open it till we get instructions from higher authorities regarding the same.”

Another employee said there should have been more clarity on the issue. “At least till the time the public was made aware of the new system, the office should have remained operational,” he said.

ARTO Rupinder Singh said the staff had been temporarily accommodated and by Monday, everything would be sorted out.

A senior Transport Department official from Chandigarh said there would be a 15-20 day transition period. “Gradually, people will become aware that they have to visit Sewa Kendras for RTO-related works or avail online service. By Monday, the staff will be properly accommodated,” the official said.