RTO officials remove posters, photos and symbols of political parties from autorickshaws

BENGALURU: With the Election Code of Conduct in force in the state, Transport Department officials in the city removed pictures and symbols of political leaders from autorickshaws.

The Transport Department officials have started checking autorickshaws and are getting photos of political leaders and party symbols removed from them. A team led by Bengaluru city division Joint Transport Commissioner K T Halaswamy removed the posters and photos, fined the drivers and also created awareness among them not to violate the rules.

The Transport Department officials in the city removed pictures and symbols of political leaders from autorickshaws.

The Transport Department officials started their operation at 11 am and RTO officials seized many autorickshaws for violating the code of conduct, including in Yeshwantpur, Rajajinagar and Jayanagar. Since the implementation of the code of conduct, 452 cases have been registered in the city so far and, in one of the cases, a driver who had posted a picture of the JD(S) party was fined Rs 5,000. Some autorickshaw drivers voluntarily removed the posters and pictures of political parties and leaders.

Politicians spent lakhs of rupees on thousands of autorickshaws for wide publicity of their leaders and party for the upcoming election. The authorities said that even after clearing and warning autorickshaw drivers, if they find such posters, their permits will be cancelled.

K T Halaswamy, Joint Transport Commissioner of Bengaluru Division.

“As the model of conduct is in force, it is against the rules for auto drivers to stick posters and portraits of leaders and political parties. We have registered 452 cases and we will fine them Rs 5,000. If they do no remove it and pay the fine, they will be booked. In case of habitual offence, the permits will be permanently cancelled. We have informed all auto drivers’ associations to create awareness among their members. This will apply to all vehicles, including BMTC and KSRTC buses and checking will be conducted every day,” said K T Halaswamy, Joint Transport Commissioner of Bengaluru Division.