Haryana minister recommends probe into irregularities at transport offices

Chandigarh: Haryana transport minister Anil Vij on Wednesday recommended a vigilance probe into alleged irregularities in vehicle registrations, including cases in Ambala where vehicles were registered locally using addresses from Tamil Nadu.He said the probe would cover all registering authorities and regional transport offices of the state. The recommendation came after complaints of misappropriation of power and corrupt practices at offices of the transport department, said Vij.Vij, who had initially received such complaints for alleged irregularities in Ambala, has asked the additional chief secretary of transport to communicate his recommendation to the vigilance bureau. Vij said after coming to know of the registrations in Ambala, he suspected malpractices could have been happening across the state, so he decided to recommend a probe for all offices of his department.The minister has also taken a strict stance on vehicles transporting dust, sand and other loose construction materials without proper covering. He has directed all such trucks and transport vehicles must be properly covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means. Violators will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act and pollution control guidelines, said Vij.Vij has also directed officials to ensure strict compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016, notified on Feb 17, 2017. He said numerous complaints had been received regarding violations of the scheme by private stage carriage operators. He emphasised that as per the scheme, permit holders are required to provide travel facilities to students, concessional pass holders, and free-pass holders in their buses, without any subsidy from the govt. Vij also ordered action against the unauthorised entry of heavy vehicles in city areas. The minister noted such vehicles often diverted into congested areas, markets, and sectors to save time and fuel, leading to traffic congestion, damage to public property, and increased risk of accidents.