Pune: RTO (Regional Transport Office) employees across Maharashtra are poised to launch an indefinite strike starting September 24, following the failure of negotiations with the Transport Commissioner.

The strike comes in response to several long-standing grievances that have not been addressed satisfactorily, despite multiple meetings and verbal assurances over the past two years.

At the core of the dispute are a series of administrative issues, including changes to the revenue department’s transfer policies and inexplicable alterations to the handling of departmental exams, which have caused widespread distress among RTO employees.

The union claims that the lack of clarity and arbitrary changes have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, leaving many employees frustrated.

The RTO employees' union has been vocal about the need for a proper organizational structure and the implementation of the Kalaskar Committee’s recommendations, which were designed to improve efficiency and streamline operations.

However, the union's Secretary, Surendra Sartape, and President, Prakash Patil, stated that no progress has been made on critical issues like seniority and transfers, despite the committee’s report.

"Every time we meet with the Transport Commissioner, we only receive verbal promises, but no written decisions. This time, too, the discussion ended without any concrete outcomes," said Sartape.

The union has formally notified both the State Transport Commissioner and the Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) about their intent to strike and has made it clear that they will not reconsider their decision until all demands are addressed in writing.

The union's demands also include better coordination in administrative practices, particularly regarding service seniority and transfer policies, which they say have been neglected.

The ongoing strike is expected to impact the operations of the RTO offices across Maharashtra, causing delays and disruptions in essential services such as vehicle registrations, license issuance, and other regulatory functions.