PATNA, March 1 -- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up the state transport department for multiple lapses, including issuing driving licences without following mandatory procedures, allowing motor driving training schools to operate without the required infrastructure, and shortfalls in revenue collection at checkpoints set up for entry tax and fines, according to its recent report on district transport offices, which was laid in the Bihar Assembly. The report, covering the period ending 31 March 2024, found gross deficiencies in the issuance of driving licences (DLs), including learners' licences (LLs), for light motor vehicles (LMVs) by district transport offices (DTOs) across several districts. The audit, conducted between July and August 2024, included joint physical verifications (JPVs) of driving skill tests in five DTOs and found that the number of applicants appearing for tests was far lower than the number of slots booked and DLs issued, according to the SARATHI database. The audit also noted that no records were maintained to confirm the physical presence of applicants. On the days of the JPVs, a total of 903 slots were booked for DL tests. During the audit, it was observed that only ten candidates appeared physically for the tests, while 856 DLs were granted according to the SARATHI database. This indicates that driving licences were being issued without candidates' physical appearance or verification of their driving capability. Similar observations were made regarding learners' licences, with test checks showing that far fewer applicants appeared for tests than had booked slots in the SARATHI database. The audit also highlighted shortcomings in targeted revenue collection at border checkpoints. Out of six check posts in the state, the CAG reviewed revenue targets and collection at the Balthari check post in Gopalganj and the Dobhi check post in Gayaji. Revenue collection at Balthari decreased from 105 percent to 45 percent of targets between 2021-22 and 2023-24, while Dobhi's revenue achievement fell from 102 percent to 60 percent between 2020-21 and 2023-24. Non-functional exit gates, non-use of weighbridges for overloaded vehicles, and the deployment of non-taxation officials to perform taxation duties were identified as reasons for the shortfall at Balthari. Besides these issues, the audit found other deficiencies in the operations of the transport department. The CAG observed that the department should develop a robust system to ensure that LLs and DLs are issued only after actual attendance, verified through biometrics, facial recognition, or similar methods, and that applicants undergo proper testing. The report also recommended that fitness certificates for vehicles should be granted only after the vehicles pass checks at automated testing stations (ATS)....