RTOs given back job of correcting meters in autos, taxis

MUMBAI: Appointments for obtaining your driving licence, registration of vehicles or proper inspection of vehicles while issuing fitness certificate are likely to

MUMBAI: Appointments for obtaining your driving licence, registration of vehicles or proper inspection of vehicles while issuing fitness certificate are likely to be hampered as the regional transport offices (RTO) have been shouldered with the additional responsibility of recalibrating e-meters in autorickshaws and taxis.

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Before, the work was done by the Legal Metrology Department (LMD).

On Saturday, the transport commissioner’s office directed all RTOs across the state to start their process in their jurisdiction with immediate effect after the high court directives last month,

Citing the provisions in its law books, the LMD had taken over the responsibility of e-meter recalibration from RTOs since 2015. But, while hearing a petition filed by a meter manufacturer, the Bombay high court had directed it to hand over the responsibility back to the transport department mainly because of shortage of manpower, lack of infrastructure and complaints received to the government.

RTO officials, however, feel that the additional responsibility of calibrating e-meters of nearly 1.05 lakh auto rickshaws and about 45,000 taxis will hamper their routine work, mainly because of shortage of motor vehicle inspectors, whose main responsibilities are conducting driving tests, checking vehicles fitness and registration.