Mumbai, April 4 Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered a comprehensive re-verification of all autorickshaw permits and badge distribution in the Mira-Bhayandar area near Mumbai, following complaints of alleged irregularities and the use of fake documents, officials said.
The minister gave this direction in a meeting held at the Mumbai suburban district collector's office on April 2, after a representation by MLA Narendra Mehta, who raised concerns over the process.
An official said that Sarnaik has asked the transport department officials to submit a report by May 1.
Senior officials of the transport department, including Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Rajendra Narwekar, were present at the meeting.
According to the official, minister Sarnaik said complaints suggest that autorickshaw permits were issued on forged documents despite the process being online.
Citing Mehta's complaint to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Sarnaik said there are allegations that some foreign nationals secured permits using questionable residential proofs in the area.
Calling the matter serious, the minister directed a detailed probe into all such cases and ordered the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to review permits issued in recent years, beginning with Mira-Bhayandar in neighbouring Thane district.
A special month-long drive will examine permits issued over the past 10 years, including verification of documents and compliance with rules, such as knowledge of Marathi. Action will be taken against erring officials, he said, warning that fraudulent permits could pose a security risk.
During the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature held last month, the state government suspended the issuance of new autorickshaw permits in a bid to curb rising traffic congestion and urban pollution.