THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per the new central government directive, it was already agreed that the track for the driving test can be prepared on government land. So the sudden move to transfer the deal to private companies is nothing but a sure-shot attempt to fawn big corporates.

Even though there are 86 assigned areas for conducting driving tests in the state, only eight among them meet the basic criteria. Although a fee of Rs 300 is charged for the test, the practical test is mostly conducted in remote areas and at places rented by driving schools.

Testing centres like those proposed by the central government can be started at the premises of government institutions including KSRTC. It is enough to pay a certain amount to the institutions as ground rent. Such proposals were thwarted to kowtow to private companies.

Private institutions had already prepared plans for driving training centres when the new directive of the centre came. The sudden change in the format of the test has also irked the CITU-controlled Driving School Workers Union which has now openly protested the government's decision.