UP Elections – Give your SUVs for election duty or face FIR: Meerut RTO officials to Public

Meerut, Jan 31 (KNN) Owning a SUV or more than five seater car in Meerut has become a big headache for general public as the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials are forcibly acquiring the private cars to please officials deployed on UP election duty.

The city based MSME entrepreneurs and associations have slammed the officials for forceful acquisition of their or their employees’ cars.

Atul Bhushan, Chairman of Indian Industries Association (Meerut Chapter), said, “The RTO Officials forcefully take the private cars. This seriously impacts the transport facility in the city and affects the industry.”

“We cannot let anyone took our vehicle as it will affect our business and they aim to use the SUVs for the polling arrangements in the elections,” he added.

He said a letter in this regard has been sent to the District Magistrate.

“We have sent a letter against the matter because how could one give his private vehicle to someone as he buys it for personal use,” added Bhushan.

Earlier too similar questions have been raised during Elections in several states like - What are the norms for requisition of private vehicles for election duty? Do owners have the right to refuse or are they bound to give up their vehicles for the polls? And what about payments? What happens if a vehicle is damaged? These and many other questions disturb vehicle owners in the run-up to the elections.

Many people have moved court over such issue. In some states, electoral officials have come out in support of public and said they have a right to say NO for letting their cars being used for election duty. While in some states in Bihar, Patna district administration clearly said that it will not use force to hire vehicles for poll duty, rather the owners whose vehicles are hired will get cheques for 80% of the rent in advance.

The All India Sports Goods Manufacturers Federation (AISGMF) said that it is complete arbitrary of the transport officials.

“Why should I give my personal car to someone, this is the arbitrary of the transport department”, said Rakesh Mahajan, General Secretary, AISGMF.

He also told KNN that election commission should intervene in the matter.

The local MSMEs said that the move is illegal and should be stopped at first hand. 

“If someone is not agreeing to give his personal vehicle, the RTO officials are filing a FIR. This should be stopped as it is against the interest of the public,” said Shiv Khamboj, Senior Official with Meerut based industry. 

According to Chairman of IIA (Chapter Meerut) other cities in UP are also facing such cases. (KNN)