Jaipur: Former transport minister and Congressman Pratap Singh Khachariyawas Monday alleged irregularities worth Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore in the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) in commercial vehicles in Rajasthan.Addressing a news conference here, Khachariyawas said Rajasthan had more than 16 lakh commercial vehicles, including taxis and small and heavy commercial vehicles. He questioned the rise in device costs, alleging that vehicle owners were being charged significantly more than before.“If a device that could earlier be installed for around Rs 5,000 is now costing vehicle owners Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000, the govt must explain why. Who is pocketing the additional money?” he asked. Khachariyawas referred to complaints that receipts showed charges of around Rs 5,500 while vehicle owners were allegedly asked to pay up to Rs 15,500.Demanding answers from Transport minister Prem Chand Bairwa, he said, “If everything is being done according to the rules, let the state govt make the tenders, companies, dealers and fee structure public.”The Congressman demanded an impartial investigation and strict action if irregularities were established. He also cited the controversy over high-security registration plates (HSRP), alleging that vehicle owners had not received the promised relief from complaints of excess charges.
