Transferred RTO employees skip work

The regional transport offices (RTOs) across the state are already facing a severe staff crunch. Adding to their woes, more than 60 employees who were transferred refuse to turn up for work.

The regional transport offices (RTOs) across the state are already facing a severe staff crunch. Adding to their woes, more than 60 employees who were transferred refuse to turn up for work.

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In a major reshuffle in May this year, the state transport department had transferred 145 people — 114 motor vehicle inspectors, 12 deputy RTO officers, three deputy commissioners, two RTO officers and 14 assistant RTO officers — across 45 RTO offices in the state.

These were inter-departmental transfers. However, 62 of them are yet to join their new postings.

Sources said many officers at senior level, mid-level or even inspectors were trying hard to get better postings. At least 54 motor vehicle inspectors, five deputy RTO officials and three assistant RTO officials have not joined work. They are citing personal and medical reasons to get their transfers altered.

This is severely affecting work at various RTOs, especially in cities such as Mumbai, where there are three RTOs.

The are 89 vacancies at the Andheri RTO that caters to areas from Dahisar to Bandra. The Wadala RTO covering the eastern suburbs has 62 vacancies while Tardeo RTO has 150.

“They [employees] have written to the transport department and are going to the to Mantralaya asking them to alter their postings,” said a senior official.

“We have issued the orders for transfer. It is for them to implement it,” said transport secretary, SK Sharma. The department is looking at the authenticity of the requests they have received.