Shillong, June 12: The Meghalaya government has introduced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to ease the financial burden on commercial vehicle owners by waiving long-pending taxes and penalties. Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, formally launched the scheme at the state secretariat, noting that the cabinet had approved the measure to encourage owners to clear outstanding dues.

Under the scheme, vehicle owners will benefit from an 80 percent waiver on Motor Vehicle Tax, Goods and Passenger Tax dues and penalties, along with a 90 percent waiver on penalties related to Fitness Certificates. The transport department has estimated that total outstanding dues amount to nearly Rs 1,100 crore, of which approximately Rs 900 crore are linked to fitness certificate penalties. Officials project that if owners take advantage of the scheme, the government could generate revenues in the range of Rs 180–200 crore.

Figures presented during the cabinet meeting revealed that around 65,000 vehicles have pending Motor Vehicle Tax dues, 12,642 vehicles are liable for goods and passenger tax, and more than 57,000 vehicles face penalties related to fitness certificates. The OTS scheme will remain open until August 31, offering commercial vehicle owners a significant opportunity to regularize their obligations while contributing to state revenue.