The AP government has given top priority to welfare. It is providing financial assistance to many people through navaratnas. They are providing Rs 10,000 per annum to auto drivers. So, far it is good. Though there are more than 5 lakh autos, only 2000 auto drivers are eligible for the benefit. About Rs 200 Crore is being spent annually on auto drivers as part of the Vahana Mitra scheme. However, the transport department seems to target collecting the entire amount from them. They have brought rules which are nowhere in the country.
Vehicle owners to face the heat
The vehicle owners are facing the heat in AP. The transport department has released 16 rules. If there is no helmet the penalty is Rs 1,000 and for overloading the vehicle penalty is Rs 40,000. Speaking on a phone while driving would cost Rs 1,500 for the first time and if caught for the second time, the penalty will be Rs 10,000. Earlier, if a person less than 18 years drove the vehicle the penalty was Rs 500 but now as per the latest rules, the penalty is Rs 5,000. Those who were ineligible for a driving license were filed Rs 500 earlier. Now it has been increased to Rs 10,000. If changes are made in the design of the vehicle a lump sum penalty of Rs 1 lakh will be imposed. Thus, a huge penalty is being levied for every violation.
Target Rs 600 Crore
The transport department has learnt to have fixed a target of collecting Rs 600 Crore annually from the motorists who violate the rules. That means, apart from the vehicle registration income, the transport department has given directions to the traffic police to collect penalties from 1.30 Crore vehicles moving in AP which violate rules. As part of this, the transport department has increased the penal amounts by 1000 per cent as per the target.
