DTC to take suggestions from bus drivers for route rationalisation plan
New Delhi (PTI): To strengthen its route rationalisation programme, Delhi transport minister Pankaj Singh on Wednesday directed officials to take suggestions from DTC bus drivers.
Singh held a review meeting of the study by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), along with IIT Delhi, on its route rationalisation plan with transport department officials.
"The route rationalisation exercise must reflect the on-ground realities of Delhi's public transport system. By incorporating inputs from experienced DTC drivers, conductors, and depot managers, we can significantly enhance last-mile connectivity and improve the overall passenger experience," Singh said.
The transport minister emphasised the importance of inclusive and data-driven planning, as well as leveraging the experience of DTC personnel in the ongoing exercise for 9-meter DEVI electric buses.
Currently, a comprehensive study is being undertaken by IIT Delhi, ensuring a robust, data-driven, and optimised redesign of Delhi's bus network to improve accessibility and service quality.
"The route rationalisation covers 121 routes in the East Zone, 181 routes in the West Zone, and 194 routes in the North Zone, as well as ongoing exercise of the South Zone," an official said.
The transport minister also informed that DTC's interstate electric bus services have received an encouraging response from commuters.
"The positive response to interstate electric buses reinforces our commitment to expanding clean and sustainable mobility solutions beyond Delhi. We are now planning to extend services to additional routes such as Delhi-Rewari, Delhi-Karnal, Delhi-Alwar, and Delhi-Jewar," he added.
Currently, inter-state services are operational on routes including Delhi-Baraut (Uttar Pradesh), Delhi-Sonipat, Delhi-Dharuhera, Delhi-Panipat (Haryana), and Nanaksar-Ghaziabad Bus Terminal in Uttar Pradesh.
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Karnataka: Commercial Taxes Dept busts Rs 410 crore GST fraud network, arrests one
Bengaluru (PTI): The Commercial Taxes Department on Wednesday said it has arrested a man involved in generating and routing fraudulent ITC across multiple states and has unearthed a GST fraud worth Rs 410 crore.
In a statement, the Commercial Taxes Department said its Enforcement Wing (south zone) arrested Mohammed Tauqeer (42) when he attempted to abscond.
“Mohammed Tauqeer has been arrested for his active role in floating bogus firms and facilitating large-scale fake Input Tax Credit transactions. The accused was produced before the Special Court for Economic Offences here, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days,” the department said.
Further investigation has revealed that Mohammed Tauqeer and his accomplice, Shaik Jakeer Hussain, alias Basha, are the principal masterminds operating behind the network, it said.
It added that the duo had floated multiple bogus business entities and systematically issued fake tax invoices without actual supply of goods, thereby generating and passing fraudulent ITC to entities in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The investigation has revealed that the accused routed fake ITC to various entities, including previously arrested operatives, who in turn passed it on to works contractors and traders for offsetting their tax liabilities.
This mechanism enabled beneficiaries to discharge tax liabilities through ineligible ITC instead of cash payments, causing a significant loss to the government exchequer.
“The financial magnitude attributable to this network is Rs 410 crore in fraudulent transactions involving wrongful ITC of Rs 102.5 crore,” the department said.
The statement said the modus operandi adopted by the accused reflects a well-structured and evolving pattern, involving frequent creation and cancellation of GST registrations within short durations, continuous changes of mobile numbers and bank accounts, operation through multiple-layered entities, and functioning in isolated silos to evade detection.
The accused are originally from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, with Mohammed Tauqeer currently residing in Bengaluru and Basha operating from Andhra Pradesh.
“Despite sustained efforts over the past month, Shaik Jakeer Hussain managed to flee overseas and remains absconding,” the department said.
Efforts are underway to trace and secure him through appropriate legal channels, it added.
