AG calls on LTA board to act regarding PSV permits and licenses held by families of workers and board members

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has written to the Chairman of the Land Transport Authority Vijay Maharaj and Minister for Transport Parveen Bala in his capacity as the Minister responsible for Justice and Anti-Corruption to ensure that immediate action is taken regarding immediate family members of LTA employees and board members holding PSV permits and licences.

In a letter to Maharaj which is copied to Bala, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted that a number of the PSV licenses and permits were acquired by these employees and board members while holding office.

Sayed-Khaiyum also says that in a number of cases the PSV permits and licenses were acquired in the name of immediate family members, namely spouse and children, for the benefit of these employees and board members.

He says such permits and licences should not have been issued in the first place to such persons.

Sayed-Khaiyum says all employees and board members of LTA must be immediately informed that, for as long as they hold office with LTA, they and their immediate family members are prohibited from being holders of PSV permits and licences, and they should be given the option of either surrendering the PSV permits and licences or resigning from LTA.

The Minister for Anti-Corruption says to allow all parties to make decisions and organise their affairs, this should be done within a short time period, but within a recommended 3 months.

Sayed-Khaiyum has also recommended action regarding former employees and former board members of LTA or their immediate family members who are still holding PSV permits and licences.

He says LTA must immediately ascertain whether such permits and licences were acquired at the time when these people were holding office with LTA.

If so, then such PSV permits and licences need not be renewed upon expiry, and the employees or former board members or their immediate family members may reapply for a PSV permit or licence and their applications processed, in the same manner as other members of the public.

The LTA board will comment later today.

Bala will also comment later today.