It’s not an easy task to identify touts wandering around in the premise of Regional Transport Office (RTO) as they don’t roam around with an ‘agent’ tag pasted on their back,” maintained Regional Transport Officer, Dinesh Chandra Pathoi when enquired about any measures being adopted by the officials to curb the tout menace.
Although their (agents) entry is not banned here and it is open for all. Action can only be taken against such touts who dare to mishandle the files, documents or any important record of the RTO department and they would be liable to police case as well. When enquired about the precautionary measures being adopted by the RTO to check the irregular practice of the touts over there, Pathoi informed that recently after the approval of the officials of the Transport Headquarters, around five CCTV cameras were installed in the RTO premises.
It must be mentioned here that that these cameras have been installed at the cash section, server room, entrance gate including the exit and entry gate of the RTO department. Notably, no cameras are installed at any counter of the RTO campus, which is the most prominent site for such mischievous activities of the touts where they can be very openly witnessed dealing with the RTO employees. Currently more than 100 touts are functional at the RTO and their number is even extending more and more. Despite the known offence, RTO officials have not taken any concrete action against them.
Further Pathoi stressed, “We had already stated our demands to the higher authorities to provide five more cameras for the RTO department. And we would install these CCTV cameras at all the outer counters of the office.” This would possibly help in checking the nuisance of the touts at the RTO premises. When asked about number of touts punished till date or any case being filed against any of the agent, Pathoi informed that no such evidence has come into notice till date.
However, this clearly displays the sluggish attitude of the RTO officials. He maintained that after getting the camera installed at the outer counters the chances of recognising such offenders might increase. As per the norms, touts are strictly not allowed to have any deal with the RTO employees and if found defying the norms they would be strictly be punished by police, said Pathoi. These touts might have formed their own association but they are not legalised by the RTO, averred Pathoi.