Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 17
The transport department has reduced the late fee from Rs 50 per day to Rs 10 for issuing fitness certificates for commercial vehicles, including buses, trucks and taxis.
The state’s additional transport commissioner, in an order issued on July 15, directed the department to correct the software bug related to the late.
Private carriers are moving
Those who could not pay the fine due to the isolation caused by Covid became defaulters in the records of the Department of Transport. The reduction in late fees was a huge relief. JS Grewal, pvt transporter
The Punjab Small Bus Operators Association has flagged the case, accusing the Ministry of illegally charging Rs 50 per day as penalty for issuing roadworthiness certificates to hundreds of commercial vehicles.
It was alleged that the department illegally collected crores of rupees as late fee.
The central government’s notification to charge Rs 50 per day as delay fee was struck down by various courts in 2016 and 2017, but the state transport department continued to charge the amount from private transporters.
Meanwhile, JS Grewal, general secretary of the association, welcomed the department’s decision.
“Those who could not pay the fine due to the isolation caused by Covid became defaulters in the records of the Department of Transport. Buses of such carriers were not allowed to operate. The reduction in late fee was a big relief,” added Grewal.
