The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has commenced an aggressive vigilance drive, under which it is evaluating automobile dealers in the cities, for flouting regulations and norms while retailing cars and motorcycles. For instance, the RTO authorities of Nagpur found out that automobile dealerships were asking an additional 'service charge' from their customers in the final sales agreement. The information came into light when Anil Chopra, a disgruntled buyer, filed a complaint with RTO S. Shelke against Seva Automobiles, for charging an additional sum of Rs. 4,000 as service charge.
As per reports, Chopra's son purchased a Maruti Swift Vdi from Seva Automobiles in 2012. The dealer charged him Rs. 4,000 extra saying that the sum will be paid to RTO officials, so as to speed up the vehicle registration process. Amused on being asked to pay excess payment, Chopra approached Shelke who took note of the dealer for asking dubious means of money. Later, the RTO issued directives to all prominent automobile dealerships asking them to refrain from such actions, besides warning them about repercussions of not adhering to rules and regulations.
In a different episode, Shelke terminated the trading certificate of AK Gandhi Cars for flouting rules and norms, while retailing Tata Sumo and Tata Indica models. As per reports, Nagpur Police notified the RTO authorities on numerous occasions that many vehicles were being seen on city roads without having a number plate. It has been learnt that those vehicles were sold several months ago and were not registered with the RTO. Evidently, AK Gandhi Cars had been delivering the Tata models without registration numbers.
Such open violation of terms and conditions while selling an automobile has entailed the RTO authorities to put all the car and motorcycle dealerships under its scanner. Shelke has affirmed that there is no lag in registration process (for a new vehicle) and numbers are issued within 8 days, after the road tax is paid. Further, nationwide RTO authorities have become more vigilant and will scan for illegal charging of money by automobile dealers from the Indian consumers.
