At a time when the country is trying to put in place reforms and compliance of motor vehicle laws, Ashok Khemka, Transport Commissioner, Haryana being transferred within four months of being posted is a saddening development, says Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT), an independent transport research body.
However, the move is “not a surprise” given that Khemka had cancelled the permits of more than 50,000 motor vehicle carriers and refused to renew their annual fitness as they had been running their transport vehicles carrying two wheelers and cars from factories of vehicle manufacturers and delivering to the retail outlets across the country.
This stern action to stop the outsized motor vehicle carriers was taken under the Rule -93 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 as these transport vehicles were not only illegal but also pose serious danger to public safety….and affecting free flow of traffic on roads due to their illegal Over Dimensional Body (length, height, width) in contravention of Central Motor Vehicles Act, stated IFTRT.
The move laid the foundation for transfer of Ashok Khemka from this department as he was not suitable to the resourceful and powerful lobbies of transporters and vehicle manufacturers, stated IFTRT.
The move “exposes the duplicity of present rulers that they want corruption free administration and display of good governance on State highways and roads”, states the IFTRT.
Stating that it is deeply distressed on this development, IFTRT added that it seems at ground level the change of guards from Congress to BJP led Government has no bearing on bringing good governance, it added.
PTI reports: The BJP today justified Khemka’s transfer, maintaining it had been done with “good” intentions and he had been given a “good posting”.
“Service is service. You cannot say this position is big and the other is small. Archaeology is also a big ministry in this country. There is a big responsibility attached to it...,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
Facing a barrage of questions on the Khattar government’s action in shunting out of Khemka, who shot into national limelight after raising questions about Robert Vadra’s land deals, Hussain said Haryana would also benefit from it.