Congress leader Shashi Tharoor slammed the bureaucratic mentality that still exists among government officials even in the digital age, after an X user reached out to him seeking help in talking to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel regarding the RTO bill.
The user responded to one of Tharoor’s posts, complaining that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Gujarat is still asking for a “nine-year-old” physical invoice that is signed and stamped, despite it being available digitally. “Sir, I request you to ask @Bhupendrapbjp to implement #DigitalIndia in Gujarat. RTO babu rejects digital bill and asks for 9 years old signed and stamped bill. Are we living in 2026!? @COTGuj_office please help,” the user wrote, while also tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tharoor responded to the request, saying such a culture that requires signed and stamped documents should be done away with. He also argued the need for more signatures and stamps in the digital age, suggesting that the government is moving away from the bureaucratic needs of the past. “The culture of ‘signed and sealed’ documents must be ended without delay! Also the practice of each file needing four signatures. When will we get rid of such bureaucratic relics from another era? #GetIndiaMoving!” Written on X.
Gujarat CM Patel has not responded to the posts, at least as of filing this report.
She attacked Tharoor’s convoy
In a separate incident, a Tharoor gunman and his driver were allegedly attacked by a group of five in Wandore in Kerala on Saturday.
A case has been registered, while one person has been detained in this regard, after a complaint was lodged by Tharoor’s militant, Ratheesh KP, the police said.
According to the FIR, the accused, who were traveling in two cars, intercepted the MP’s car. When the militant tried to remove the obstacle, he and the driver were attacked, the FIR said.
Read also | Shashi Tharoor’s armed driver was allegedly attacked in Wandoor, Kerala
Tharoor is currently traveling to Kerala while campaigning for Congress candidates ahead of the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections. Speaking to X, Tharoor said he was not affected by the attack.
“I am truly touched by all the messages and calls expressing my concern about the untoward incident last night when my security guard was attacked. He is fine and I am unaffected. Thanks to all friends and well-wishers. We continued to work courageously yesterday and concluded two more events as planned. Our ongoing program is unaffected,” he posted on X.
