A pick-up van driver was fined a whopping Rs 28,250 on various charges of violation of the amended Motor Vehicles Act-19 in Rajgangpur area of Sundergarh district today.
Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials issued a challan against the pick-up van driver for driving without a valid Driving License (DL) and carrying overload in the goods vehicle.
The vehicle owner has been identified as Balaram Yadav of Bagichapada in Rajgangpur . He was charged Rs 5000 for driving without a valid DL and Rs 23,250 for overloading.
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Surprisingly, even though the truck driver was levied a penalty for driving without a valid license, his DL for transportation showed validity till 06.08.2022 while his DL for non-transportation is valid still 20.10.2037.
As per reports, the pick-up van was on its way from Rajgangpur to Kutra transporting tomatoes when the RTO officials intercepted the vehicle near Rajgangpur bypass road.
Balaram said that the authorities after intercepting his vehicle asked him to pay Rs 5000 first for overloading.
However, when he pleaded the authorities that he has no money, they asked him to pay Rs 2000. But he still said officials he was unable to pay as his owner has given him money for food and he was not having any cash. He requested the officials to let him contact his owner, however, they reportedly snatched his phone issued a challan of Rs 28,250, alleged Balaram.
Meanwhile, Sundergarh RTO has said that they would investigate the matter and take appropriate steps in the case.
The State Transport department has already issued clear warning to all local authorities regarding strict implementation of MV Act regulations from January 2021 which were relaxed in view of Covid pandemic restrictions.