DELHI: Transport minister Satyendar Jain is once again in the eye of a storm with the special commissioner in the transport department, Indu Shekhar Mishra, going on 15-day leave after sending a letter to the lieutenant governor, Najeeb Jung, complaining of misbehaviour by the minister.The letter (TOI has a copy) says Mishra incurred the minister's wrath after he opposed the opening of regional transport offices (RTOs) from 7am to 7pm on all days of the week in file notings. He favoured sticking to a six-day week. Mishra had told Jain about discontent amongst the RTO staff, who were not getting a single day off. The letter cites a meeting that took place on Monday where the minister reportedly accused Mishra, a senior DANICS officer who had been in charge of vigilance and administration in the department, of lying and not doing his job. Mishra has complained about Jain threatening him and expressed his fear about working in a “hostile environment“.Several attempts were made to get the version of the minister and Delhi government but without any success. Sources say Mishra had earlier objected to another order by Jain (TOI has a copy) authorising DTC drivers to conduct driving licence tests at RTOs. He had argued that the post of the motor vehicle inspector, the person designated for conducting the test, was a sensitive one and involved public safe ty. This advice was disregarded by the minister.The minister passed an order on Monday evening, divesting Mishra of his duties in the department and putting him in charge of enforcement. Soon after that, Mishra sent the complaint to the LG. When contacted, Mishra admitted he was on leave but refused to comment any further.Earlier this year, former health secretary Amarnath had also gone on leave following differences with the minister. Interestingly, transport commissioner Sanjay Kumar has also been unavailable for over a week now on “study leave“. After Mishra's exit, the department is left with only two senior officials. There has been a spate of transfers in the department, starting with Kuldeep Singh Gangar, another special commissioner, who was transferred after a run-in with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Gangar is yet to get a portfolio, more than eight months after his transfer.A Delhi government official, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Getting DTC drivers on deputation for this job is not a good move, especially since the credentials of the drivers have been questioned in the past. “More importantly, the drivers don't have the required training or expertise to conduct the tests, said the officials. The reason for the order is apparently the new policy introduced by the minister to keep the RTOs open for 12 hours, seven days a week, to expedite the process and make it convenient for people to get their work done. Since the staff at the RTOs cannot be made to work for the required hours, Jain has asked for staff from DTC and elsewhere to be diverted to the RTOs.