In a move that could benefit over 90,000 auto drivers, the Delhi government on Tuesday waived off the vehicle’s fitness test fee and significantly scaled down various charges including penalties.
In June the ruling AAP had hiked auto fares by over 18%.
The decision to waive off the fitness test charge of ₹600 and bring down the amounts of various charges and penalties was taken at a meeting of the Delhi cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The cabinet also approved a proposal of the transport department that reduces the registration or re-registration charges of autos from the prevailing ₹1,000 to ₹300, a government statement said.
The GPS tracking charges presently being charged at the rate of ₹100 per month along with GST and SIM charges have also been fully waived, it said, adding that the transport department will now bear these charges.
“All fresh changes will come into effect from September 1. However, the fees covered by Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993, will come into effect from October 15 after due changes in it by the transport department,” a transport department official said.
The late fee penalty on fitness test, which is presently ₹1,000 along with ₹50 per day, has now be decreased to ₹300 and ₹20 per day.
The fee for duplicate registration certificate and ownership transfer will now be ₹150, down from ₹500 earlier. The penalty amount of ₹500 per month has been brought down to ₹100 per month.
Fees in respect of grant as well as renewal of permit, contained in Rule 59(1)(a) of Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993 is ₹1,000.
It is proposed to reduce this fee to ₹500 and an amendment would be required to be made in Rule 59(1)(a) to give effect to this proposal.
Delhi Auto Richkshaw Union general secretary Rajendra Soni welcomed the decision to waive off fitness test fee and reduce other charges.
Soni urged the Delhi government to speed up work for recalibraton of metres so that the auto drivers could smoothly charge revised fares.