Enriching intermediaries while crediting FASTag
- so called success story of NHAI
Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Almost all vehicle owners (save exempt categories) are required by law (read forced) to adopt FASTag as the predominant mode of payment [2] of toll tax on National and some State highways. In an earlier post the author had written that the `Toll Calculator’ of NHAI does not work. [3] As a result of the same, an individual has to credit his account with more than adequate balance to ensure that his toll can be seamlessly debited, while travelling on tolled highways. The excess/remainder balance with the FASTag operator, normally a commercial bank, helps the bank with interest free deposit, courtesy the law. At present there is no law to refund the same.
A vehicle owner has to credit his account electronically, or through an agent, the latter having a booth at locations close to the toll plaza. For a government promoting digital transactions/ money, there should be no additional cost in such a transaction. This, however, is not the case. The additional amount as convenience fee is detailed below for a credit of ` 1,600.
Table Comparison of convenience fees to credit FASTag by different modes
The agents close to the toll plaza who provide a service in indifferent weather also charge an amount.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways/NHAI/FASTag operator may please revisit the issue and
i. direct paying interest on the balance amount with the FASTag operator,
ii. treat the convenience fees, for which no service is provided as illegal,
iii. provide law/method to refund the available balance,
iv. ensure internet banking through all banks.
Pic 1 Convenience charge by Paytm
Pic 2 Convenience charge by SBI Debit card
Pic 3 Convenience charge by net banking
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service (Retired), former Senior Economic Adviser, Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-kumar-parmar-841b4724) YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar), twitter (https://twitter.com/rohitkparmar?s=09), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/), been writing/sharing varied topics and can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com. [2] As per PIB, 97 percent pay through FASTag. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1921359#:~:text=With%20a%20penetration%20rate%20of,times%20at%20NH%20Fee%20Plazas [3] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rohit-kumar-parmar-841b4724_narendramodi-nitingadkari-nhai-activity-7071323650158657536-ntjd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
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