Minister orders probe into emission issue

Minister orders probe into emission issue
Deccan Herald

Transport Minister Cheluvaraya Sw-amy has directed Transport Commissioner Narayan Go-wda to conduct an inquiry into the issue, a day after Deccan Herald exposed the issue.

A day after Deccan Herald exposed high-handedness of Koramangala Road Transport Authority officials over the issue of checking emission level of vehicles, Transport Minister Cheluvaraya Sw-amy has directed Transport Commissioner Narayan Go-wda to conduct an inquiry into the issue.

“I have gone through the report...Nobody can make out emission level of a vehicle through naked eye...I have directed the Commissioner to go into the issue,” he told this paper on Friday.

Mr Gowda, meanwhile, termed the RTA’s action as “foolishness” and promised “appropriate action” against the erring officials.

The officials at Koramangala RTA had harassed Mr Ananthu, who was travelling in his four-wheeler last month, by charging that his vehicle was causing air pollution, despite the latter possessing a valid emission and fitness certificate.

The RTA officials had also confiscated the driving licence of the driver, Nanje Gowda.

The officials, including Koramangala RTO Gnanendra Kumar and Joint Commissioner-Enforcement (Transport) Vijay Vikram, had defended the action, claiming they can detect the emission level of any vehicle with the naked eye.

Mr Narayan Gowda, however, rubbished his colleagues’ claims.

“How can anybody check the emission level this way? This is sheer foolishness. The officials should go by documents the vehicle owner has”, Mr Gowda asked.

He further said officials are empowered to take action only if they find that these documents are fabricated.