Narowal DC imposes Rs 0.7m fines on non-registered tractors

LAHORE: In compliance with the directions of Ombudsman Punjab Maj (R) Azam Suleman Khan, the deputy commissioner Narowal has imposed and received 712,500 rupees as fines and registration fees during a district-wise 60-day long campaign against non-registered tractors, trollies, and workshops.

This order was issued on the complaint of one Taimoor Akram of Narowal district who pointed out that out of a total of 10,421 tractors and trollies plying in the district, 67 tractors and trollies are being commercially used while 90 tractors and trollies have been registered for agricultural purposes only. The rest of the tractors and trollies, nearing 9,950, are registered for agricultural purposes, he added. However, the applicant complained that the tractors and trollies are being illegally used for numerous commercial purposes which also results in evasion of registration fees and annual token tax. The brakes of non-registered tractors and trollies should be in accordance with registered axle load to avoid any accident, he noted.

Taking cognizance of the situation, the ombudsman office directed the Narowal DC to constitute assistant commissioners-led committees comprising excise, police, environment, and transport departments officials for taking daily action against non-registered tractors and trollies. The ombudsman office further directed that registration of qualified workshops should also be ensured along with action against the non-registered workshops in the district.

The compliance report submitted by DC Narowal to the ombudsman office intimated that Rs. 45,000 registration fee has been received in a 60-day long exercise against unregistered tractors, trollies, and workshops in three tehsils of the district along with the imposition of Rs.478,500 fine to challaned vehicles. Meanwhile, the environment department has imposed Rs. 89,000 fines while the bodybuilding workshops are fined one lac rupees, the report added. TF REPORT