State transport commissioner Deepak Kapoor has ordered senior RTO officers to do night shifts once a month to make sure that the department achieves its target of Rs 2,400 crore. According to the order, which is in place since January 1, the state transport commissioner has to do night shift once a month and RTO rank officers are supposed to do at least two night shifts each month, while the deputy and assistant RTOs have to do three and four night shifts respectively, each month.

“It will also tighten the grip as maximum tax evasion takes places during the night,” Kapoor said.

The department has 45 deputy regional transport officers across the state. Apart from issuing driving licences, these officials also shoulder responsibilities alongside the traffic police and have to conduct verification of necessary papers like the national permit, collect vehicle tax, road tax, and fines in case of excessive luggage; check technical defects in vehicles like speedometer and reflectors.

The RTOs can also take action against private transporters for carrying more commuters than their prescribed capacity.

“We do conduct night raids and it is not unusual as tax evasion is maximum during the night. But it is a big expectation that RTOs doing the night shift will meet the target as they only have one quarter left and the economic slump has certainly affected the revenues,” a deputy RTO said.

Last year, the department had a target of Rs 2,140 crore. From April 2008 till date, the department has collected taxes worth Rs 1,622 crore.

“Till December 15, 2007, the revenue collection was Rs 1,446 crore. Till December 15, 2008, we have managed to recover Rs 1,525 crore despite fewer registrations. That is Rs 80 crore more than the previous year,” Kapoor said. “We have recovered arrears which were pending since last few years, so even that made a difference.”