The Supreme Court suggested exploring ways to recover unpaid e-challan penalties, including linking outstanding fines with electricity bills
The Supreme Court has suggested linking unpaid e-challan penalties with electricity bills and considering vehicle blacklisting or ownership restrictions to improve traffic fine recovery.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has suggested that authorities explore innovative mechanisms to recover unpaid traffic fines, including the possibility of linking outstanding e-challan penalties with electricity bills.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan also suggested considering measures such as blacklisting vehicles with unpaid penalties and restricting the transfer of ownership of such vehicles.
Supreme Court Seeks Effective Recovery Of E-Challan Dues
The bench observed that merely issuing e-challans would not be sufficient if the penalties imposed through them are not subsequently recovered.
The court suggested examining a mechanism under which unpaid traffic penalties could be added to an individual's outstanding electricity bill. The bench noted that such a system could encourage payment because prolonged non-payment of electricity bills can eventually result in disconnection.
However, the court stressed that authorities would need to identify an appropriate legal and administrative mechanism before implementing such a system.
The bench also mentioned that authorities should focus on recovering traffic penalties, rather than merely increasing the number of e-challans issued.
Vehicle Blacklisting And Ownership Transfer Restrictions Suggested
The Supreme Court also suggested that vehicles carrying unpaid traffic penalties could be blacklisted.
Another measure proposed by the bench was restricting the transfer of ownership of such vehicles until the outstanding fines are cleared.
These suggestions are aimed at improving the recovery of traffic penalties and ensuring that unpaid fines do not continue to accumulate.
Rs 45,000 Crore In E-Challans Issued
Figures cited before the court indicated that e-challans worth around Rs 45,000 crore have been issued across the country.
Of this amount, around Rs. 25,000 crore has reportedly been recovered, while around Rs. 20,000 crore remains outstanding.
The court's observations underline the challenge authorities face in recovering traffic fines after e-challans are issued. The suggested measures will have to be examined for their legal validity, administrative feasibility and implementation mechanism.
