THE Transport Department’s recent RTO transfer and promotion process has sparked a major controversy amid allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency. The process, which involved a lottery system to promote 23 Deputy Regional Transport Officers (Deputy RTOs) to Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) based on seniority, has been in question after it was revealed that several officers had their postings changed just after the initial draw. Among the changes, Shyam Lohi was transferred from Pune to Chandrapur. Archana Gaikwad’s placement was also changed from Chandrapur to Pune. Similarly, Hemangini Patil’s posting was altered from Solapur to Thane, while Sanjay Metrewar, who was expected to take up a position in the Transport Commissioner’s Office, was reassigned.

 

Other notable changes included Pradeep Shinde’s move from Nashik to Pune, Ravindra Bhuyar’s reassignment from Nagpur Rural to Akola, and Jayant Patil’s switch from Barivali to Pune. These abrupt changes have led to questions about the reasons behind the modifications and whether the draw was genuinely transparent. Sources claim that Vijay Chavan has taken charge as RTO in Kolhapur. Allegedly, Chavan was found to be working in Gondia while holding a Deputy RTO post in Gadchiroli last year. Additionally, Ravindra Bhuyar, who has been recently transferred to Akola, is yet to assume his new role. Bhuyar was previously involved in exposing a financial scandal related to RTO transfers. However, the Nagpur Police had sent a letter to the Transport Department asking to transfer a few officers from Nagpur, including Bhuyar. He had contested against the letter in the court. Despite a stay being issued by the court, Bhuyar’s move to Akola was enforced which fuelled further scrutiny of the practices. When contacted, the State Transport Commissioner stated that the transfers were carried out through the Establishment Board and all records are in order. He declined to comment on the lucky draw process.