Tax Imposed on Traffic Challan Payments in Punjab
In a recent development, the Punjab government has announced a tax on online payments of traffic challans in Lahore and other cities across the province. As of Tuesday, an additional Rs15 will be deducted as tax when paying traffic fines through online platforms, as reported by Lahore news sources.
For example, if you receive a traffic ticket for Rs500 due to a violation, the amount payable via the online app will be Rs515. This new tax measure is aimed at streamlining the payment process but has not yet been officially commented on by the traffic department.
Traffic tickets, or challans, are issued by traffic police officers to individuals who violate traffic rules. These violations can include a range of offenses from motorists, car drivers, to bus drivers. Common penalties include fines for riding a motorcycle without a helmet, currently set at Rs2,000, and driving a motor vehicle on the wrong side of the road, which also incurs a Rs2,000 fine.
Typically, when a traffic violation occurs, the issuing officer provides a ticket specifying the offense and the fine amount. Paying the fine promptly usually allows for a single payment, but delays can result in the fine amount doubling.
This new tax imposition is part of the government’s effort to ensure better compliance and ease of payment through digital means, although it has sparked discussions among the public regarding the additional financial burden.
