Government told to fix CCTVs covering all RTOs within 3 months

Justice SM Subramaniam offered the direction while disposing a petition moved by Thennindhiya Otturnar Payirchi Palli Urimaiyalargal Koottamaippu to forebear the Transport Department from implementing the Electronic Driving Test in “H” Track for light motor vehicles and two wheelers and consequently direct the respondents to follow the physical driving test as per the provisions of Rule 31 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Observing that the public at large believe that by paying exorbitant amount through the driving schools they can get the driving licences said, “It is painful to record that the state, which is bound by the Constitution has failed to ensure that such freelance corrupt activities are crippled to the extent possible in certain departments like Transport Department, Registration Department, Commercial Taxes Department, etc.” 

However, on the case on hand Justice Subramaniam said, “The licenses granted to the driving schools are only to the extent of running the driving schools and teaching the students, who are approaching the driving schools. 

It is for the driving schools to get the scheme of new Electronic Driving Test in “H” Track for the light motor vehicles and two wheelers and it is for the authorities to provide syllabus to these driving schools for implementing the scheme.” Also, referring to the careless manner in which driving licenses are issued by the authorities resulting in large number of accidents, the judge in his order said, “Under these circumstances, the introduction of Electronic Driving Test in “H” Track is absolutely necessary and this Court finds no infirmity in respect of introducing a newly improved electronic system to ascertain the driving skills of the candidates. If necessary, it is for the state to issue formal amendments in the Manual and Rules.”

Further, on noting that this court is of an opinion that such electronic driving tests are necessary to slow down the corrupt activities of the public officials, the judge in his order also held, “Thus, the irregularities, illegalities and corrupt activities in the Transport Department for grant of driving licenses to unskilled persons.. are to be stopped at once and a full proof system is highly essential for improving the public road users in the interest of public at large, the judge added and directed the registry to mark a copy of the order to DVAC and post the matter for compliance after four weeks.