In a significant move aimed at tackling corruption within the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Monday arrested 24 individuals following surprise inspections at RTA offices and driving test centers across multiple districts of the state. The raids, conducted on the morning of April 7, led to the registration of 16 FIRs and the confiscation of Rs 40,900 in bribe money from agents involved in illicit practices.
The crackdown was the result of extensive intelligence gathered through complaints lodged with the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line, highlighting bribery and malpractice in RTA offices. Vigilance’s official spokesperson said that the operation was executed by VB Ranges, including the Flying Squad and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), targeting both RTA officials and agents acting as intermediaries.
“The state is committed to eliminating corruption from public offices. We want to ensure that citizens are not exploited and that government services remain transparent and accountable,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Such raids will continue to act as a deterrent against illegal practices and hold those involved accountable.”
Among those arrested were several private agents and RTA employees caught in the act of accepting bribes for facilitating driving license approvals, expediting driving tests, and falsifying documents. Notable arrests include Sukhwinder Singh, a private agent from Mohali, who was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 2,500 as part of Rs 5,000 payment for securing a driving license and clearing the test. Similarly, Paramjit Singh, another agent from Fatehgarh Sahib, was apprehended for taking Rs 5,000 for facilitating the same illegal services.
In Ludhiana, three individuals, Pankaj Arora alias Sunny, Deepak Kumar, and Manish Kumar, were arrested for demanding bribes ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500. Two other agents, Taisiff Ahmed Ansari and Honey Arora, were detained for charging Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,500, respectively, to secure driving licenses for applicants.
The EOW unit also uncovered extensive corruption in Jalandhar, where Mohit Kumar and Vijay Kumar were arrested after accepting Rs 2,000 to fast-track driving test appointments. Ashok Kumar, an agent from Hoshiarpur, was detained for taking Rs 5,000 to ensure a favourable outcome in a driving test. In Kapurthala, Sher Amrik Singh was caught with Rs 12,000 in bribe money, suggesting possible collusion with RTA officials.
The crackdown extended beyond agents, with the SBS Nagar VB team arresting two RTA employees, Jatinder Singh (junior assistant) and Manish Kumar (data entry operator), for their involvement in corrupt practices, along with private agents Kewal Krishan and Kamal Kumar. In Sangrur, Lovepreet Singh was arrested for demanding Rs 7,000 for a driving license, while Avinas Garg, a Data Entry Operator, was also implicated.
The state-wide operation, which included raids in districts such as Jalandhar, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Patiala, Ludhiana, and Hoshiarpur, saw multiple RTA offices being sealed, preventing any movement of individuals in or out of the premises. In a rare instance of transparency, Erwin Kaur, the RTA-cum-SDM of Kapurthala, confirmed her office’s full cooperation with the vigilance team.
Authorities have stressed that the investigations are ongoing and will continue to probe the full scope of the corruption network, including possible links to RTA officials. “We are committed to uncovering the entire modus operandi and ensuring that any accomplices, whether inside the RTA or outside, are held accountable,” the spokesperson said.
Haryana CM Interacts with Haryanvi Diaspora in Paris on Ram Navami
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday interacted with the Haryanvi diaspora in Paris, France, extending his heartfelt wishes and congratulations on the occasion of Ram Navami. Speaking during the event, organized by the state’s Department of Foreign Cooperation, Saini emphasized the significance of Lord Shri Ram as a symbol of Indian culture, tradition, and Bharatiyata.
“Lord Shri Ram’s life teaches us the path of truth, duty, and dignity. He is an eternal source of inspiration,” said Saini. He highlighted the widespread celebration of Ram Navami across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and the devotion that resonates not only in India but also among devotees around the world.
Saini also reflected on the ideals of Lord Ram, stressing the importance of staying connected to one’s roots, fulfilling family and social responsibilities, and maintaining patience in challenging circumstances. “Ram Navami is not just the celebration of Lord Ram's birth but also a reminder of his ideals,” he added.
The Chief Minister praised the construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, calling it a symbol of India's pride and the center of faith for millions. He recalled the momentous Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024, when India witnessed the grand event in unison.
Saini also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” aligning it with the vision of Ramrajya, a just and prosperous society. “It is our good fortune that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the air service to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya from Maharaja Agrasen Airport in Hisar on April 14,” he said while urging the diaspora to pledge to uphold peace, harmony, and prosperity in their communities and support the state's development goals.
