RTA offices hit by staff shortage

HYDERABAD: Shortage of staff in the Road Transport Authority offices is hampering regular work. The RTA offices where over 35,000 different transactions take place everyday, have around 500 vacancies in various ranks.According to RTA officials, there are over 500 vacant posts of assistant motor vehicle inspectors, clerks and constables in all RTA offices in the state, with 150 vacant posts in Hyderabad alone.Hence, the officials are unable to complete work in time due to lack of sufficient staff and sometimes they face anger of the people for the delay."There has been no recruitment for last four years and this is the main reason for the excess workload," said an official. He said they need additional staff to complete regular work but the government appears in no mood to start the process of recruitment.Sources said senior RTA officials have written to the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission for fresh recruitment. "We need at least 25 per cent additional staff to clear the regular work," they said.With the shortage of staff, the existing employees are having to work overtime to clear up pending works which includes registration of over 70,000 vehicles and issuing of licences, which had piled up during the Sakala Janula Samme.When contacted, transport commissioner Hiralal Samariya said he has written to the government about vacant posts and the government would take necessary action.