Inquiry ordered against RTO inspector at Hazira check-post

SURAT: The state government has ordered a departmental inquiry into the allegation of corruption against a probationary assistant inspector with the regional transport office (RTO) in Surat. It is alleged that the officer P R Kathvadia allowed overloaded trucks to pass from the Hazira check post after collecting some amount of money from them.
A team of transport department officials from Gandhinagar had organized a secret operation at the Hazira Check post two days ago and had detained around 12 overloaded transport trucks, which were allowed to pass by Kathvadia.
Sources said that the probationary assistant inspector was illegally collecting Rs 10,000 per truck and allowing them to pass the Hazira check post.
Hazira houses giant industries and over 600 trucks pass the check post everyday carrying raw materials like coal, fertilizers and other industrial items. The transporters were hand-in-glove with the inspector for ensuring that their overloaded trucks are allowed to pass from the check post without checking, sources added.
According to officials Kathvadia was employed on probation had developed a good rapport with the transporters delivering coal, industrial pipes and other material to the industries in Hazira.
Sources said that Kathvadia was summoned by the top transport authorities at Gandhinagar to put forth his case.
"The probationary assistant inspector is facing inquiry from the transport commissioner. He was deployed at the Hazira check post just one month ago," said an RTO inspector in Surat.