The RTO had become a hub of corruption as the staff received money from driving schools as well as for registration of new vehicles. “We found it very difficult to trap those in RTOs because none of the staff there collect the money directly. They have their own agents who do the dirty work,” a DVAC official said. 

“Finally, the money reaches the tables of those who matter in the RTO office. That is why we conducted the surprise checks in the evening. Of course, there will be officials who collect their  share at some point,” the official added. 

“We will summon the transport official for a detailed inquiry,” the officer asserted. The DVAC officials conducted surprise checks at selected RTOs across the state in October, seizing nearly Rs 15 lakh from the premises. 

Earlier, in Saidapet, Rs 1.18 lakh and documents were seized. In the past, raids were conducted at RTOs in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, Dindigul, Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Kanniyakumari, besides transport department offices in Theni, Pudukkottai and Sivanganga. 

“But the staff in the RTO employ outsiders to collect bribes and that is why we are  not able to pin them down,” the official noted.