Jammu, Apr 23 (JKNS): Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma on Thursday issued a stern warning to officials while reviewing the functioning of the Transport Department in Jammu Division, stressing zero tolerance against negligence, road safety violations, and poor service delivery.
Sharma, undertook a review meeting of the Transport Department for Jammu Division at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, as per news agency JKNS.
The meeting was attended by all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) of the division.
The Minister undertook a detailed and structured review of departmental functioning across key domains, emphasizing transparency, efficiency, and strict enforcement of transport regulations.
Taking serious note of recent road accidents, the Minister stressed that vehicle fitness must be ensured without any compromise. He directed officers to strictly enforce fitness norms, with special attention to critical components such as tyres, mirrors, front glass, and emergency exits in public transport vehicles.
Satish Sharma called for stringent action against defaulting officers and warned that any negligence in enforcement would not be tolerated. He further directed the enforcement teams to curb the use of retreaded tyres and unauthorized vehicles plying without valid fitness certificates.
Highlighting road safety as a top priority, the Minister issued directions for zero tolerance against overloading and repeat offenders, strict checks on school buses including CCTV compliance and speed limiting devices, and re-evaluation of hilly route permits to ensure passenger safety, along with identification and mitigation of accident-prone black spots.
He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts with concerned agencies to reduce road accidents and ensure safer transport systems.
The Minister directed the department to intensify awareness campaigns under road safety initiatives, including promotion of helmet use, seat belts, and child safety measures. He also instructed officers to organize special campaigns against drug abuse (Nasha Mukt Abhiyan) in collaboration with stakeholders, including youth organizations and educational institutions.
Satish Sharma stressed the need to resolve operational issues in online platforms such as Vahan and Sarathi and ensure seamless service delivery to citizens.
He also called for improving integration with digital services and reducing delays in issuance of documents like driving licences and registration certificates. He emphasized time-bound disposal of e-challans, grievances, and public complaints, directing officers to enhance accountability and responsiveness.
The Minister reviewed revenue collection trends and directed officers to meet annual targets while addressing gaps and leakages. He also sought updates on pending dues and instructed strict monitoring of revenue-generating heads.
Minister Sharma reviewed staffing positions, infrastructure gaps, and availability of enforcement equipment, directing timely augmentation wherever required. He stressed continuous capacity building and training of staff to improve departmental performance.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to public welfare, the Minister underscored the importance of efficient grievance redressal mechanisms, timely RTI responses, and reduction in pendency of court cases and audit objections.
He directed officers to work with integrity, coordination, and a sense of responsibility, ensuring that the Transport Department emerges as a model of efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly governance. (JKNS)
