Punjab CM 'locks' RTO office in Ludhiana, now no one dares to open it

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal launched faceless RTO services across Punjab on October 29.

As a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister “locked” the RTO office to mark the end of physical visits for transport-related work. Interestingly, the office has remained locked ever since — on October 30 and 31 as well — 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 licenses and other related services. But since that day, the office has literally remained locked. None of us dares to open it until we get instructions from higher authorities on where and how we are to be accommodated.”

Another employee said there should have been more clarity on the issue. “If someone wants to meet an officer, they can’t, because the officer is locked inside — symbolically and practically. At least until the public was made aware of the new system, the office should have remained operational,” he said.

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

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