OTS scheme for commercial vehicles launched in Meghalaya

Shillong: The Meghalaya govt through the transport department on Thursday launched a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme aimed at providing substantial relief to commercial vehicle owners by waiving outstanding taxes and penalties.Sniawbhalang Dhar, deputy chief minister in-charge, transport, who launched the scheme at the main secretariat in Shillong, said that the OTS was approved by the state cabinet to “encourage vehicle owners” to clear long-pending dues.“Under the scheme, commercial vehicle owners will receive an 80% waiver on Motor Vehicle Tax, Goods and Passenger Tax dues and penalties, and a 90% waiver on penalties related to Fitness Certificates,” Dhar said.According to departmental estimates, the total outstanding dues amount to nearly Rs 1,100 crore, including approximately Rs 900 crore in fitness certificate-related penalties. The transport department estimates that if vehicle owners avail themselves of the scheme and clear their dues, the govt could generate revenues of approximately Rs 180–200 crore.Data presented during the cabinet meeting indicated that around 65,000 vehicles have pending Motor Vehicle Tax dues, 12,642 vehicles have goods and passenger tax liabilities, and over 57,000 vehicles have pending fitness certificate-related penalties.The OTS scheme will remain open until Aug 31.The deputy CM emphasized that after the closure of the scheme, vehicle owners will be expected to make regular quarterly or monthly payments as required under existing regulations. The govt, he said, cannot introduce such waiver schemes every year.“Outstanding dues accumulated over several years, regardless of when they originated, will be eligible for settlement under the scheme as per the formula approved by the govt,” Dhar said.