By Cassian Baliarsingh

Copyright odishatv

The Odisha Government on Wednesday rolled out a One-Time Settlement Scheme OTSS to help vehicle owners clear their pending e-challans at reduced rates. The notification was issued by the Commerce and Transport Department highlighting the statersquos concern over rising road safety violations despite continuous enforcement measures.
According to the notification the scheme will cover all pending e-challans up to July 31 2025 except those cases where prosecution reports have already been filed in court. The scheme will remain valid for six months from the date of issue and offers violators a chance to settle dues at discounted penalty rates.
New traffic challan rules
New traffic challan rule
As per the annexure penalties have been significantly reduced. For instance general offences under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act which attract fines of up to Rs 500 can now be settled at 50% of the original penalty. Similarly overspeeding penalties for Light Motor Vehicles LMVs will be reduced to Rs 1000 and for Heavy Motor Vehicles HMVs to Rs 2000. Using a mobile phone while driving jumping red lights or dangerous drivingmdashall carrying fines of up to Rs 5000mdashcan now be settled at Rs 1000 each.
The government emphasized that this is a one-time opportunity. After the schemersquos expiry violators will have to pay the full penalty as prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act and vehicles with unpaid challans may also face restrictions on various transactions.
Principal Secretary Usha Padhee in the notification stated that the initiative aims to recover outstanding fines efficiently and encourage safer driving habits. The Transport Department has also assured that strict enforcement will continue against repeat offenders and those unwilling to improve their road safety behaviour.
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to all Collectors RTOs OSRTC and the Gazette Cell for immediate implementation and wide circulation.