Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 9: Karnataka's one-time 50% amnesty scheme for pending traffic e-challan fines has delivered a significant boost to the state exchequer, with more than 8.82 lac pending cases settled and Rs 26.37 crore collected within just 18 days of its launch.
According to the state government's notification issued under Government Order No. TD 27 TDO 2023, the concession scheme came into force on June 21 and applies to pending traffic e-challan cases registered by the Karnataka police.
The state had been grappling with a mounting backlog of unpaid traffic e-challans accumulated over several years. In Bengaluru alone, unpaid traffic fines worth crores of rupees had remained outstanding. Many vehicle owners had deferred payment as penalties, additional charges and interest continued to rise, further increasing their financial burden.
In a bid to resolve the issue, the Karnataka government introduced a one-time amnesty scheme offering a 50% concession on the fine amount. The initiative is aimed at clearing long-pending cases, reducing the burden of traffic-related litigation on courts, improving road discipline and enhancing government revenue.
Similar traffic fine amnesty schemes have previously been rolled out in Maharashtra, Delhi and Telangana, where they helped expedite the disposal of lakhs of pending traffic violation cases.
To maximise public participation, the Karnataka Police have been sending SMS alerts and other notifications to vehicle owners, urging them to clear their outstanding dues during the concession period through online payment portals, Bengaluru One centres or traffic police stations.
Official figures show that 882,290 pending traffic e-challan cases were settled through various payment channels between June 21 and July 8. During the 18-day period, the state collected Rs 26,37,79,300 (Rs 26.37 crore) in revenue.
The scheme has received an encouraging response from the public, with officials appealing to motorists who still have pending e-challans to take advantage of the 50% concession before the amnesty period expires.
Authorities have also warned that once the concession window closes, the full penalty amount, together with applicable additional charges and, where necessary, legal action, will once again come into effect.