By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Meghalaya Cabinet on May 27 approved a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme aimed at providing relief to transporters and commercial vehicle owners by substantially reducing penalties linked to Motor Vehicle Tax, Passenger and Goods Tax and vehicle fitness fees.
The scheme has been introduced to help transport operators who have accumulated large outstanding dues over the years because of delayed tax payments and renewal of fitness certificates.
According to the government, although the original charges were comparatively low, mounting penalties had become a heavy financial burden, particularly for local transporters dependent on commercial vehicles for their income.
Under the new initiative, vehicle owners will receive a 90 per cent waiver on penalties related to overdue fitness certificates. The government has also approved an 80 per cent concession on penalties associated with pending Motor Vehicle Tax as well as Goods and Passenger Tax dues.
Officials said the move is intended to support transport operators in clearing long-pending liabilities and returning to regular operations without facing excessive financial hardship.
The OTS scheme will remain effective until August 31, 2026.
The government also expressed hope that the measure would improve future compliance with transport regulations while helping vehicle owners stabilise their financial condition.
Transporters and commercial vehicle owners across the state have been encouraged to take advantage of the settlement scheme and clear their pending dues within the given timeframe.