The country’s largest truckers’ body, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has sought the the Centre’s intervention to eliminate “illegal” check posts of transport departments at the borders in 13 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter addressed to Union road transport secretary, Anurag Jain, AIMTC has alleged “prevailing corruption and exploitation” at the regional transport office (RTO) check posts, especially at state borders, particularly in MP.
“The brazen and unchecked conduct of these check posts is severely impacting the transport trade and adversely affecting vulnerable and impoverished truckers,” it said. The truckers’ body cited the earlier letters issued in 2020 and 2021 to states, urging them to remove RTO check posts at state borders. Even the Union road transport minister has written to the MP government expressing concern over the corruption at the border check posts and seeking their removal.
It said, as per the fundamental premise of the goods and services tax (GST) law, there should not be any RTO check posts at state borders or elsewhere on highways or within states. “This measure is crucial to ensure a corruption-free, seamless movement of transport vehicles, reduce logistics costs, protect the environment, and avoid fuel wastage,” the AIMTC said.
It alleged that the RTO lobby has nullified the intended benefits of GST implementation. “In light of the technological advancements and the availability of online data pertaining to document validity, such as insurance, permits, tax status, Pollution Under Control certificates, and e-way Bills on the Vahan portal & mParivahan app, we strongly advocate minimizing en route checking on roads and highways,” the truckers’ body said.
