Maharashtra explores amnesty for old traffic fines and FASTag-based collection

The government will introduce a system where only police officers equipped with official body cameras can issue e-challans. Representation Pic/Ashish Raje

The state government is looking at two important steps in connection with traffic fines. First, it is considering an amnesty scheme to help recover old pending challans. Second, it is examining whether traffic fines can be collected directly through FASTag. Shiv Sena (UBT) member of the Legislative Council Sunil Shinde raised the question of whether local police are authorised to levy fines or issue e-challans using personal mobile phones.

During this discussion, members stated that fines levied are not recovered for long. In fact, Congress leader Satej Patil suggested the government introduce an amnesty scheme to recover traffic fines and provide relief to vehicle owners. In his reply, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the ideas suggested by Patil. "We will certainly consider introducing an amnesty scheme for the recovery of pending traffic fines from the vehicle owners. But, concurrently, we will need to think of a mechanism to eliminate the delay in payment or recovery of e-challans," Fadnavis added.

Further participating in the discussion, Patil said, "The government should link fines with the FASTag. This will help reduce the delay in recovery of fines and case pendency, too." Fadnavis replied that the government was upgrading the system and mechanism when it comes to levying and recovering traffic fines. "While working on new methods, we will certainly explore whether traffic fines can be linked with the FASTag," the CM said.

New system to issue e-challans

The state government has reiterated that police cannot use their personal mobile phones to issue e-challans. Instead, the government will introduce a step-by-step system where only police officers who are equipped with official body cameras will be allowed to issue e-challans.

The chief minister stated that it had often been observed that heated arguments would break out between police personnel and vehicle drivers and owners regarding the levying of traffic fines. The CM further stated that neighbouring states, such as Goa, had introduced a system where only police personnel equipped with official body cameras are allowed to issue e-challans. "As part of the modernisation of our system, the Maharashtra government will adopt a similar system. It will be done in a phased manner in Maharashtra," Fadnavis added.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, mentioned that local police were not authorised to levy fines or e-challans with their personal phones. "Only authorised policemen can impose fines. The order about this communication has already been issued. We will communicate with the department concerned again to ensure effective implementation of the directives," Kadam added.