Rampur Scandal: Private Vehicles Illegally Issued Government Registration Numbers, High-Level Inquiry Ordered

A startling revelation has sent shockwaves through the transport department in Uttar Pradesh, as a recent audit in Rampur district unearthed a widespread and severe irregularity: numerous private vehicles have been operating with registration numbers explicitly reserved for government-owned vehicles.

This egregious breach of protocol came to light during a routine but crucial internal audit, prompting immediate and decisive action from top officials.

Transport Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Singh has minced no words in describing the gravity of the situation. Upon receiving the audit report detailing these discrepancies, he promptly ordered a comprehensive inquiry.

Furthermore, Singh has mandated stringent action against any officials found responsible for this lapse, signaling zero tolerance for such flagrant violations of established norms.

The specific series in question, UP 23 G-0001 to UP 23 G-9999, is unequivocally designated for government vehicles registered in Rampur, with 'UP 23' being the distinct code for the district.

However, the audit revealed that this exclusive series had been unlawfully allocated to a diverse array of private vehicles. Shockingly, this includes not just private four-wheelers and commercial vehicles, but even two-wheelers, demonstrating the widespread nature of the irregularity.

This widespread misallocation of registration numbers is more than just a procedural error; it points towards a deeper issue, potentially involving connivance or gross negligence within the Regional Transport Office (RTO).

The implications are serious, as proper classification and identification of government vehicles are crucial for accountability, security, and administrative purposes.

This isn't an isolated incident either. The Transport Commissioner highlighted that similar irregularities have been detected in other districts across Uttar Pradesh, including Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), and Ghaziabad.

These prior instances had already prompted Singh to issue stern directives to all transport officials, emphasizing the critical importance of adhering strictly to registration number allocation guidelines.

The current scandal in Rampur serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for heightened vigilance and stricter enforcement within the transport department.

The ongoing inquiry is expected to delve deep into the mechanics of how these numbers were illegally issued, identify the individuals responsible, and propose robust measures to prevent such serious administrative breaches from recurring. The public and officials alike await the findings, hoping for transparency and renewed integrity in the vehicle registration process.