In city, 884 impounded vehicles await disposal

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 16

A total of 884 vehicles impounded by the UT traffic police under the Motor Vehicles Act during 2013-16 are still lying for disposal at the Police Lines, Sector 26. The audit has pointed out that the vehicles should be disposed of as further deterioration of these vehicles will lead to a revenue loss to the Police Department.

The audit report states that while checking the records for 2017-18, it came to light that the traffic wing had 884 vehicles impounded between 2013 and 2016, which were still lying for disposal.

The report mentions that of the 884 impounded vehicles, the list of stolen vehicles was required to be confirmed from the modus operandi branch (MOB) of the UT police and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Both branches have confirmed that of the 884 vehicles, 24 were found to be stolen vehicles.

The audit has observed that despite the fact that the impounded vehicles were occupying a large space in the Police Lines and their condition was deteriorating, the auction of these vehicles was still pending. These vehicles were impounded by the traffic staff at various nakas after which their owners never bothered to get them released from the traffic police.

Punjab yet to pay Rs98 lakh

The Punjab Government is yet to pay Rs 98 lakh for the fuel provided to its vehicles attached with the Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator. The outstanding amount of around Rs 98 lakh is yet to be recovered from the Punjab Government, which was spent on the fuel of the security vehicles belonging to Punjab meant for the Punjab Governor, who is also the UT Administrator. The UT police started paying for the fuel of these vehicles and the amount from 1998 till 2003 and from 2007 to 2016 is yet to be recovered. The audit has mentioned about the recovery of the outstanding dues in the past few audit reports. However, the money is yet to be recovered.

RK Garg, founder president of the Second Innings Association, said the outstanding dues should be cleared by the Punjab Government so that the money, which belongs to Chandigarh, could be utilised in public interest.