Two buses on one permit

There was chaos at the RTO on Sunday morning as officials could not provide the names of the victims. The list issued by the Satara administration did not match with that given by the tour operator to the RTO — many of the victims were left out of its list.

Transport officials blamed the operator for the lapse. ‘‘The tour organiser is at fault for submitting fake names for getting the RTO permit,’’ Regional Transport Officer Amarsinh Chaudhary said. ‘‘It is not our duty to check the list. We rely on tour organisers.’’

‘‘We have given permit for only one bus and we do not know if the tour organiser flouted the rules by running two buses on it.’’ Tour operators said such fraud was routine. ‘‘Many tour organisers, to get early permit, give fake names of tourists. Even the RTO officials are hand-in-glove with them,’’ said a tour operator.

‘‘The Gujarat government has ordered an inquiry and we will not hesitate to initiate action against any official found involved in the racket. Strict action will be taken against tour organiser for cheating RTO,’’ District Collector J.B. Vora said.