JOWAI: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Jaintia Hills District Unit, has alleged that some staff and officials of the District Transport Office (DTO), Jowai, were involved in corrupt practices.
A delegation led by NYC-JHDU president, I.J. Dameki Paswet, met the DTO, Clistine Khonglam, on Monday and apprised him of the matter.
“We decided to meet the DTO after we received information from vehicles owners that some staff and officials in the DTO in Jowai were involved in malpractices,” a statement issued here by HYC-JHDU said.
According to the council, whenever vehicles owners visited the DTO for renewal of their permits, registration of their newly-purchased vehicles, applying for driving license and others official work some of the staff take advantage by demanding extra sum of money to speed up the work.
Meanwhile, the NYC, quoting sources, stated that several agents (dalals) were active at the DTO, illegally providing ‘express service’ to the people who have to pay money much higher than what is specified by the Government for the different work.
“Those vehicle owners who agree to pay the extra amount are able to get their work done very quickly while others, who pay only the specific sum of money as per the rates fixed by the government have to wait, sometimes for months to get their work completed,” NYC informed.
“Some people have alleged that whenever they meet any officer for their signature, they charge extra amount and if the people fail to pay, the officers will always come up with various excuses just to delay the work,” the statement added.
The NYC-JHDU, further, informed that during their meeting with the DTO, the official also came up with his own excuses, saying that he had no time to check the behavior of his staff since he had to remain in his chamber the entire day to finish his huge workload.
The DTO, however, urged the people of the district to meet him personally or lodge a complaint if they realize that they are being cheated by any staff of the office, the NYF added.
Meanwhile, the NYC requested the DTO to implement the online service for issue of Driving License beside other official works.