As private vehicles are found sporting Government titles including names and signs illegally, the Regional Transport Department (RTO) has issued an order directing an action against private vehicles sporting names and signs similar to that of Government organisations. Six such four-wheelers of private persons were fined by the RTO Nagpur so far.

An official said that many Central and State Governments are renting vehicles from the private players on yearly contracts. The vehicle-owners are unauthorisedly putting boards of ‘Maharashtra Shasan’, ‘Govt of India’, ‘Bharat Sarkar’ on the vehicles. This unauthorised use of names and signs similar to that Government organisations can attract the fine under Section 177 of Motor Vehicle Act (MVA).

Dr Avinash Dhakne, Transport Commissioner of Maharashtra, recently directed all RTO offices to initiate action against such vehicles and file the action report to the head office. He also instructed the officials to intensify the drive against fancy number plates.

RTO Nagpur Ravindra Bhuyar told ‘The Hitavada’ that the drive was conducted in Nagpur and six private vehicles were detained for using Government signs and names. These vehicles were rented by the State and Union Government organisations, he said. The vehicles were released after issuing challan under MVA, he said and added that the drive would continue across the city and district.

Sources informed that in spite of using their own vehicles, the Government organisations are relying more on the private vehicles. The owners of these vehicles are using Government names to get free entries at toll plaza and easily get access at security checking points.

It may be mentioned here that the State Home Department had asked the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that members of the police force do not put up the insignia as well as a board with ‘Police’ written on it, on their private vehicles. The Home Department had also directed the then DGP to issue strict instructions to the police force that doing so would invite legal action. However, many police personnel are found using ‘Police’ boards on their private vehicles.