 "Vehicle registrations hit a road block in Maharashtra")
New vehicle registrations in Maharashtra have taken a hit following the directive of state transport minister ordering a ban on using the services of agents.
Officials and clerks at regional transport offices (RTO) have been warned of strict action against them including suspension, if any agent is found on the RTO premises.
State transport commissioner Mahesh Zagade even conducted few surprise checks on some RTOs this week.
Auto dealers earlier used the services of such agents to get the vehicles registered with the RTO. Besides other taxes and levies were also paid through them.
With the imposition of the ban, the backlog of cars for registration is growing bigger by the day as dealers are struggling to get manpower.
"This problem started earlier this week. We have sold many cars but not all of them have been registered. Consumers have made the payments and are demanding their vehicles", said a Maruti Suzuki dealer from this city.
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Several agents are reportedly camping outside RTOs protesting against the decision and asking for it to be reversed. Some agents have even downed shutters.
"This order will impact us dearly. We will have to employ more people who can take care of this process. Our present manpower strength is not good enough. This means increased costs for us", added the dealer.
While there is no immediate impact of this on vehicle sales, which otherwise have been performing poorly since the start of the year, consumers are facing troubles.
"I have been going to the RTO more frequently to get the registration of my car done. The agents are not allowing me in. The dealer is of little help because I have paid the cost of the car", said a Mumbai resident.
Zagade has promised to make all RTOs "tout-free" by 2015, stating that RTOs had become the hot bed for corruption.