Supreme Court: Unpaid Challans Could Hit Electricity Bills

The Supreme Court has suggested some of its toughest measures yet to recover unpaid traffic fines. A bench led by Justice Pardiwala heard the matter on September 28.

The Scale of the Problem

The court was told that e-challan fines worth Rs 45,000 crore are due across India. Only Rs 25,000 crore has been recovered so far.

What the Court Suggested

• States and UTs to consider adding unpaid e-challans to the defaulter's electricity bill. The bench remarked that people would then have to pay or face disconnection.
• Blocklisting vehicles with unpaid challans on the Parivahan portal and blocking transfer of ownership
• Withholding fitness and pollution certificates, and blocking licence renewals
• Random checks, with impounding of vehicles whose e-challans are unpaid

Suggestions, Not Yet Rules

These are proposals put to states and the Centre. They do not become law until authorities adopt them, so nothing changes at your door today.

What Drivers Should Do

Check your pending challans on the Parivahan portal or your state transport site. Clearing old fines now avoids trouble at the time of vehicle sale, renewal or fitness checks. Reported by The Week.