Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The state transport department has not used a single penny from the Rs 1.50 crore allocated to it under Nirbhaya Fund for the fiscal year 2024-25. The allocation was meant for funding measures to enhance safety and security of women. The apathy of the department sounds even more callous in light of the fact that Madhya Pradesh has a dismal record when it comes to checking crimes against women.
The government allocated an amount of Rs 167.43 crore to the department for initiatives for making the procedures people-friendly. But the department was able to use only Rs 66.92 crore of the allocated till the end of December 2024 – which means that less than half of the allocated fund was utilized. An allocation of Rs 142.17 was mde for salaries and Rs 21.72 crore for capital expenditure.
An amount of Rs 2 crore was allocated for subsidizing establishment of driving training centers. Here again, the entire allocation remained unutilized.
Similarly Rs 5 crore was allocated to draw up a ‘rural transport policy'. But the department did not do anything in the matter. Rs 25 lakh was allocated to secure the property of the transport department but not even a single rupee of the allocation was spent. Rs 2 crore was allocated for the construction of new office buildings on need basis. The amount has been transferred to the PWD Bhopal and Indore Development Authority.
Stats about Allocated fund and utilized | FPJ
Most of the work is being done by personnel on deputation, on contract or on daily wages
More than 50 per cent posts, including those of regional deputy transport commissioners, regional additional transport officers, transport inspectors and other ranks, are lying vacant in the department. Out of 1,698 sanctioned posts, 899 are vacant. Most of the work is being done by personnel on deputation, on contract or on daily wages.
More than 50 per cent posts are lying vacant | FPJ
Nine out of 10 posts of regional deputy transport commissioners are vacant, 37 out of 38 posts of regional additional transport officers are vacant. 57 posts of Transport inspectors (non technical) out of 70 are vacant. 40 posts of Vehicle inspectors (technical) are vacant out of 50. 68 posts of transport
sub-inspectors out of 102 are vacant and 33 of the 34 posts of assistant transport sub-inspectors are vacant. Ninety posts of head constables including driver out of 120, and 90 of the 342 posts of constables are vacant. Of the 38 posts of constables (driver), 30 are vacant. 266 of the 538 posts of assistant grade-I, II and II and stenographers are vacant.
