Vigilance raid reveals MVD officials using ‘collecting agents’ to receive bribe.

The incident came to light during ‘Operation Jasoos’. Officials pick a trustworthy middleman to act as their agent and collect the bribe from other middlemen who work with the office. Some officials receive money only once a week.

Thiruvananthapuram: Inspections conducted by Vigilance in Road Transport Offices (RTO) in Kerala revealed that Motor Vehicle Department officials have established ‘collection agents’ to collect bribes from the middlemen. The incident came to light during ‘Operation Jasoos’. Officials pick a trustworthy middleman to act as their agent and collect the bribe from other middlemen who work with the office. Some officials receive money only once a week.

The middlemen who submit applications online share the application number with the ‘collection agent’. This agent informs the MVD official about the application. The bribe for speedy approval of the applications will be handed over the next day by the agent.

Since there is no priority to sort applications, the officials misuse their power and give preference to applications received through middlemen while while direct submissions remain unattended.