Shillong, Aug 29: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged major lapses in the Transport Department such as licences issued without tests, government vehicles running with registration certificates expired for 15 years, and stolen vehicles still shown as ‘active’ on the VAHAN portal.
According to the Performance Audit 2019-24, it was found that DTOs issued driving licences before the mandatory 30-day gap between learner and permanent licence, and without tests, allowing unskilled drivers to get licences.
It flagged operational inefficiencies, lack of infrastructure and weak enforcement and that driving schools were not monitored, violating Rule 27 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
There is the absence of designated testing grounds and Automated Testing Stations, coupled with delay in establishing the Automated lnspection and Certification (AIC) centre, which posed significant challenges in conducting practical driving tests, vehicle fitness inspections, and automated vehicle inspections for environmental compliance all of which are vital for ensuring road safety, the audit report said.
The CAG also found that the DTOs in Khliehriat, Mawkyrwat and Tura delayed 12,120 learner licences (24%), 5,655 driving licences (23%), 1,655 renewals (40%).
The report said the VAHAN database had gaps as missing vehicle details, 116 government vehicles with RCs older than 15 years still marked ‘active’ without fitness or tax, violating Rule 52A (2).
It said that 854 vehicles were registered with out-of-jurisdiction addresses and 522 without permanent registration.
Furthermore, 201 vehicles were brought from neighbouring states without mandatory NOCs that raises concerns over the entry of stolen or unauthorised vehicles into the State. The report said this indicates serious lapses in internal control and oversight mechanisms within the Transport Department.
While 1,287 vehicle thefts were reported during 2019-24, the police did not share data with transport as required under Sec 62 MV Act, leaving stolen RCs active and open to fraud, the CAG said.
The audit findings revealed revenue loss of Rs 166.15 crore from non/short levy of MV tax, registration fee, HSRP fees, permit and fitness fees and fines, plus Rs 0.68 cr from unreturned bank drafts sent to STA, Assam.
Additionally, weak enforcement led to Rs 87.94 crore penalties not imposed and Rs 10.77 crore weighment fees not collected, it said.
The CAG recommended SOPs for service delivery, address verification checklist under Sec 40, training on NOC under Sec 48, awareness for operators, early operationalisation of AIC centre, rectification of VAHAN records, automated fee calculation, SMS/WhatsApp alerts for renewals, and demand notices and sharing defaulter lists with police.
