In the wake of complaints by several transport unions, the Centre has clarified that states cannot retrospectively charge revised delay fees for driving licence, fitness certificates and other services and they have to be calculated only from December 29.
Last month, Bhartiya Private Transport Mazdoor Mahasangh had complained to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari that transport offices, including in Delhi, have allegedly been charging revised delay fees retrospectively while the notification in this regard came into effect on December 29.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a notification on December 29 increasing fees of driving licence fitness certificates and other services significantly.
"It is clarified that the revised rates for delay fees can be charged at the new rates from the date of publication of the notification i.E. 29th December 2016 and not retrospectively," Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary (Transport Ministry) said in his letter to states and UTs' transport principal secretaries, secretaries and commissioners.
Rajendra Soni, national vice-president of Mahasangh, alleged that some of transport offices in Delhi have been charging revised delay fees retrospectively.
Meanwhile, several autorickshaw, taxi, phatphat and gramin seva unions have threatened to stage a dharna outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on February 5 demanding that the AAP government not implement the new rates in the national capital.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
