Pending E-Challans: Odisha Rolls Out One-Time Settlement Scheme, Pay Reduced Fine In 6 Months

Bhubaneswar: To encourage traffic rule violators to settle the dues, the Odisha Government on Wednesday notified One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme approved by the state Cabinet on September 10.

The scheme applies to all e-challans pending at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) as of July 31, allowing defaulters to settle dues at a reduced rate instead of the full penalty prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act for a six-month period from the notification date.

“The objectives of this scheme are to recover outstanding fines efficiently and to promote road safety by encouraging violators to adopt safer driving habits. It is important to note that this is a limited opportunity; as the violators can pay at a reduced amount, whereas after expiry of the validity of the scheme’s, the violators will pay as prescribed in the MV Act.,” the notification issued by the Commerce and Transport department said.

However, challans already submitted to designated courts will not come under the purview of the scheme.

The notification further stated that the Transport department will oversee the implementation of this scheme and will intensify enforcement measures against repeat offenders and individuals unwilling to improve their road safety behaviour. “The Department is committed to strict enforcement of all provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act to enhance road safety,” it added.

This apart, the government has decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary of the Law department with the Transport Commissioner as its convenor, to examine and recommend the modalities for disposal of such cases pending in different courts as of July 31.