Hyderabad: Less rush to pay traffic challans

HYDERABAD: Even as people are using stashed old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes to pay off pending utility bills, many are unaware the demonetised notes could be used for traffic challans also.

Payment towards traffic challans has been just Rs 15 lakh as against the whopping Rs 150-crore pending challans in the city. Delayed announcement by traffic cops that old currency would be accepted for payment of challans, lack of publicity and no levy of interest or penalty for delayed challan payment, in addition to lack of enforcement by traffic cops are being cited as some of the reasons for the lack of response.

Motorists said electricity and water are essential services whereas pending challans could be paid later also. “Payment of electricity and water charges is for the commodity used by us. It is only after consuming electricity and water that the bills for that month are paid, so that its supply continues in the following month. Even payment of property tax is a meaningful disposal of old currency. The Earth won’t fall if I don’t pay pending traffic challans now,” said S. Askhilesh, a motorist.

It may be mentioned that the traffic cops were able to collect '3 crore-odd in four days of Lok Adalat, which offered 50 per cent discount in challan payments. “There is no discount in this case. Only thing is old notes are being accepted. There are better things on which these could be spent,” said N. Neelamkantha, a motorist.

DCP (Traffic) L.S. Chowhan said even '15 lakh is not a small amount. “This '15 lakh was paid by thousands of motorists. It is a good sign that motorists are aware that they have to pay their pending challans, either today or later. There is no excuse,” he said.