Pune: Several people seeking vehicle ownership transfer or re-registration returned disappointed from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad RTOs on Tuesday — the first day of indefinite strike of clerical staff.Ashutosh Pathak from Dhanori had gone to the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) to submit documents for a vehicle ownership transfer. “I came to know about the strike after speaking to some agents. There was no one at the counters. I had no option but to return,” Pathak said.Wanowrie’s Pranav Kulkarni had a similar experience. He had gone to the RTO for re-registration of his vehicle.“Had I known about the strike, I would not have come. All counters were vacant and the office was deserted. I waited for some time before heading back. I shall now have to wait for the strike to end because I am not comfortable with the online process,” said the senior citizen.Union leaders said the agitation would continue until the government initiated discussions on their demands, including time-bound promotion. Jagdish Kande, the working president of the Pune chapter of Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Department Union, said the state government was yet to make any efforts for negotiations.“Every day, around 4,000 to 5,000 people visit the Pune RTO for various services. The visitors’ count has reduced over the years because of online facilities, but many processes still require submission of physical documents. Until the government addresses our issues, the strike will continue,” Kande said.Several visitors alleged that agents approached them to get their works done for a fee despite the strike. A Shivajinagar resident, requesting anonymity, said, “An agent offered to get my licence renewed within two days for Rs2,000. I did not trust him and left. The government should resolve the issue quickly so that citizens do not suffer.”Indraneel Dixit from Ghole Road wanted to submit hard copies of documents related to hypothecation of his two-wheeler. “How can agents claim that they can get work done when employees are on strike? Two agents approached me and demanded Rs 1,000. I refused and returned to work,” the private sector employee told TOI.According to a member of Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Department Union, around 140 employees from the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad RTOs have joined the strike. “Licence tests are being conducted, but clerical staff handle documentation, data entry and backend processing. Many applicants will not get licences and approvals on time because these services have been stalled. Across Maharashtra, nearly 1,200 employees are participating in the strike,” he said.Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle said temporary arrangements had been made to minimise people’s inconvenience. “A team of four to five officers is handling essential work. Citizens can approach us to submit documents. Processing will begin once the strike ends. In urgent cases, officers can use their login credentials on transport portals to facilitate necessary services,” Bhosle said.
