Impounded vehicles to be released

AMBALA, Oct 13: Private vehicles, including Maruti cars, jeeps and matadors, which were being used as taxis and have been impounded by the government, will not be released till the operators get permits for maxi-cabs from the concerned Regional Transport Authority, according to Ambala RTA O P Langyan, who controls five districts of Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Panchkula.

He disclosed that more than 80 such vehicles operating as taxis had been impounded and challaned. A number of vehicles were reportedly being used as maxi-cabs between Ambala and Naraingarh by the operators enjoying the patronage of a minister, resulting in tax evasion and loss of government revenue. Complaints by leaders of Opposition parties to take action against the defaulters – who allegedly also indulged in anti-social activities while operating on the roads – went unheeded.

To check the illegal operation of such vehicles, the state government has provided facilities for issuance of permits, according to which the owner can get the permit by depositing passenger tax at the ate of Rs 100 per seat, which was earlier charged at the rate of Rs 150 per seat.

The permit is issued on presenting the application at the RTA office to those vehicles already registered in Haryana. The vehicles registered with other states will be issued permits only after getting the no-objection certificate.