Bus employees beware! The next time you burst out at that little school girl for occupying too much space with her school bag or shower her with abuses for no reason whatsoever, think twice. For, one of the many plainly-dressed passengers standing next to you might be an official from the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD).
The new initiative by the MVD is parallel to that of the ‘Shadow Police’ concept, a hugely effective move wherein police personnel dressed in mufti mingle with the crowds for investigation.
The squads began their operation in the city on Monday. On Tuesday, two squads with four members were in action in Aluva and Kalamassery.
“The RTO has issued a directive in this regard after complaints poured in regarding harassment and misbehaviour towards school children. Another issue is that some of the bus employees work without permits. The Transport Commissionerate has directed all centres to check such practices,” said M V Anandakrishnan, Motor Vehicle Inspector.
The officials will board the bus from stops close to schools during the school hours. “If any such cases of harassment are found, the employee will have to face proceedings on the spot. Repeated incidents can even lead to cancellation of licences,” said the Motor Vehicles Inspector. However, over the last couple of days during the MVD inspections, it was found that many school children come to school on bikes without licence. As many as six motorbikes were seized in this connection.