Shillong: Prominent RTI activist, Disparsing Rani, has raised serious concerns over potential large-scale corruption in the renting of vehicles by various government departments if Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) 1988 is not enforced. This section mandates that vehicles not registered for commercial purposes cannot be leased or rented.
Rani, who filed an RTI request regarding the renting of vehicles by the Police Department, highlighted irregularities, stating that vehicles are being rented without following proper tender procedures. He further alleged that bills are only paid to those with connections, while others are left uncompensated, forcing some vehicle owners to reclaim their vehicles.
According to Rani, a 2016 Central Vigilance Commission report revealed that vehicles rented by government offices were often owned by individuals with connections to high-ranking officials. He added that in the case of East Khasi Hills, 74 rented vehicles are being used by the police, along with 260 police vehicles registered as ML-02, with unpaid bills totaling Rs 5.93 crore.
Similar situations have been found in other districts:
- Mawkyrwat: 6 rented vehicles and 37 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 21.05 lakh in unpaid bills.
- Khliehriat: 45 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 8.91 lakh pending.
- Mairang: 3 rented vehicles, 11 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 7.93 lakh outstanding.
- Jowai: Authorities refused to disclose information on the number of rented vehicles and ML-02 vehicles, but unpaid bills amount to Rs 67.57 lakh.
- Ampati: 13 rented vehicles, 32 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 32 lakh due.
- Tura: 35 rented vehicles, 82 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 1.58 crore in unpaid bills.
- Resubelpara: 15 rented vehicles, 54 ML-02 vehicles, with Rs 98.66 lakh outstanding.
Rani expressed his intent to file a complaint with the State Vigilance Commissioner, who is also the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, to investigate the misuse of vehicles by the police and other departments.
