News Source: deccanherald | Image Source: Facebook, wikipedia
Now, it seems that RTI has brought revolution not only in digging out the pasts that were buried long ago under the carpet but also unearthing scams that were taking place around us.
On an RTI application filed by Prashant Burge regarding collection of excess user fee from light motor vehicles, scam of 1.8 crore was discovered.
It was found from the reply that an excess user fee of Rs 5 for one way and return trips at Hattargi User Fee Plaza on Belgaum-Maharashtra stretch highway was collected. The toll booth is located at NH-4 and is authorised to collect toll fee for a stretch of 22 km.
The excess collection of user fee of Rs 1.8 crore was recovered from Konark Infrastructure Ltd which is the same toll agency that had cheated the passengers. Seeing the importance and depth of the matter, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) dwelled and investigated the matter where it was found that the commuters were charged Rs 20 and Rs 40 while the usual charge were kept at Rs 15 and Rs 35 respectively.
As per the statement of NHAI, published by deccanherald, which said that they have stopped the collection of excess fee and notice boards were put up on all toll booths, displaying that the passengers can collect the excess fee of Rs 5 on producing their proof of identification and the fee charged.
NHAI had acknowledged the effort of Prashant Burge and said that the complaint has raised a very pertinent issue involving pubic interest. The NHAI said that they have approved a reward of amount Rs 10,000 under cash reward scheme to Prashant Ashok Burge for exposing the scam.
A person like Burge deserves an ovation for not only exposing the scam but also to let the commuters know that they were cheated right under their nose.
Prashant Burge has not only exposed this scam but few months back, he even exposed the officials of revenue department in Chikkodi, who allegedly transferred 5 acres land of the forest department to the name of the private person.
The Logical Indian applauds the efforts of Prashant Burge and also appreciate NHAI step to reward him for exposing the scam especially when RTI activists are killed for doing the same and we also appeal to our readers to know exact toll rate and never pay more than required.
