KADAPA: Twice a week hereafter, officials from the Road Transport Authority (RTA) will crack the whip against vehicle owners who do not pay taxes and avoid insurance. In what is a seemingly tough posture, the transport department has set a revenue target of Rs 283.92 crore for the year.
Hundreds of vehicles roam around the district without paying taxes. Although private vehicles are required to pay taxes once every three months, they rotate vehicles without paying for permits, which is causing huge losses to the exchequer.
The life of drivers and passengers is in peril when they are involved in an accident. Transport officials are gearing up to catch such errant motorists.
RTA officials have fixed a revenue target of Rs 283.92 crore for 2021-22. This includes Rs 63.72 crore in quarterly taxes on vehicles, Rs 157.07 crore as life tax, Rs 34.71 crore normal fees, Rs 18.12 crore as fines and Rs 10.30 crore as user charges.
Meanwhile, the state government is keen on taking steps that can help reduce or prevent road accidents. Vehicles that do not comply with the regulations will be penalised.
It is towards this that they have decided to go in for special drives two days in a week. Many officials have been away from enforcement duties for quite some time in the wake of coronavirus. Officers plan to keep the enforcement division busy twice in a week during the special drive.
Helmets and seat-belts will be mandatory and speed guns will be used to control the speed of vehicles. Motorists will be fined Rs 1,400 for exceeding the speed limit for the first time. A fine of Rs 10,000 will be imposed if the same vehicle is caught exceeding the speed limit a second time. Every two-wheeler rider is required to wear a helmet with ISI 4151 standards. Police officials are making it mandatory for motorcyclists travelling on the national highway to wear helmets.
Regional transport officer, Proddutur, M.Veerraju told Deccan Chronicle that they will work on preventing road accidents in coordination with the police department. He said that they would monitor the regularity of enforcement. He said they would achieve the target.
