Residents overcharged for RCs, probe sought

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 10

The company that charges Rs 74 in Chhattisgarh for a vehicle registration certificate (smart card) is charging Rs 136 in the state, alleged a National Road Safety Council member. He alleged the company had overcharged residents of the state for the past four years.

In a press conference, Kamal Soi, member of the National Road Safety Council, which is a Central body, claimed the state government had awarded a contract for issuing vehicle registration certificates (smart cards) to a company called Smart Chip in September 2011.

He alleged the company was also overcharging people of the state for issuing driving licences. He said the company was charging Rs 49 in Gujarat and Rs 65 per driving licence in Punjab.

Soi questioned as to how a company could set two different rates for the same work in two states. He said on an average, in Punjab, 10 lakh vehicles were registered per year, therefore, residents were paying Rs 6.17 crore more each year. The state government has robbed the people of Rs 25 crore in the last four years, he alleged. “We demand a CBI inquiry into the matter and that the erring officials be punished,” said Soi.

He also alleged the state Transport Department had extended the contract of Smart Chip for another five years even before its term came to an end. He demanded that its contract be cancelled immediately.

When contacted, Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister, said the decision was taken by a high-powered committee. “If someone submits a written complaint, we will conduct an inquiry,” he said.