80,000 applications pending at RTAs

About 80,000 vehicle registrations are pending in the eleven Road Transport Authority (RTA) offices in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. The number piled up over the last few months, more so after the GO No. 55 came into implementation in November.

The GO mandates people to pay 0.5 per cent stamp duty for agreement of hypothecation /mortgage/ hire purchase/ lease. However, people who purchased a vehicle prior to the implementation of the GO are refusing to pay the stamp duty regardless of the insistence of the RTA authorities.

A Balakrishna, resident of Gunrock, who purchased a bullet on November 24 says, “I tried to convince the RTA officials that the rule of stamp duty came into force after I purchased the vehicle and I should be exempted but to no avail. I would have to pay another Rs 700. It is not about the money but, principle. The department should not insist on stamp duty for vehicles purchased before November 26.”

Rohit Kumar Kothari, secretary, Telangana Auto Hire Purchase Association says, “The transport department did not discuss the 0.5 per cent stamp duty with any of the finance companies. Stamp duty does not come under the purview of the transport department.”