PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
Acting on the directions of the district magistrate, Lalit Mohan Rayal, the district administration on Friday carried out surprise inspections at several motor driving training schools operating in Haldwani. The inspection was conducted by additional district magistrate (Administration), Vivek Rai along with the regional transport officer Gurudev Singh.
During the inspection, serious irregularities were found in some training institutes. The officials observed that several schools lacked adequate infrastructure, parking facilities and essential training equipment, yet were issuing training certificates to applicants.
The inspection team visited Dev Bhumi Motor Driving Training School, Jai Durga Motor Driving Training School and Kumaon Motor Driving Training School. Notices have been issued to Dev Bhumi and Jai Durga driving schools after multiple irregularities were detected.
The officials also found that Nirmal Motor Training School, registered in Ramnagar, was being operated illegally from RTO Road in Haldwani.
Taking the matter seriously, the authorities ordered the immediate closure of the centre until further orders. The administration also directed that the operation of the three driving schools would remain suspended until proper infrastructure, parking arrangements and required equipment are provided.
During the inspection, the officials further noticed that the online portals of Dev Bhumi and Jai Durga Motor Driving Training Schools were non-functional. In another case, an inquiry into a complaint regarding collection of fees for driving licence renewal revealed that the institute’s licence had already been cancelled. An amount of Rs 1,100 collected from the applicant was refunded.
The ADM appealed to the public to approach the RTO office directly for transport-related services in order to avoid fraud and irregularities.
SDM Haldwani Pramod Kumar, ARTO A K Singh, and Tehsildar Kuldeep Pandey among others were also present during the inspection.
