The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday issued a clarification on Wednesday stating that advocates are not exempted from paying user fee at NH Fee toll plazas.
A letter, claiming that Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has exempted lawyers across India from paying charges at toll plazas, have been found to be fake. The letter purportedly issued by Private Secretary to Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Sanket Bhondve reads: reads: “As per your letter dated 1 December 2019, I am directed to inform that all lawyers of all the states in India are permanently exempted from paying toll charges in all tolls. Lawyers ID to be shown.” It has been addressed to Advocate Ravi Gowda.
Following which, NHAI tweeted that advocates are not exempted from paying toll charges.
However, Bhondve did write a letter to lawyers seeking exemption from paying toll charges at national highways.
In a letter dated December 3 to advocate R Baskaradoss, he said his letter had been forwarded to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.“Your letter has been forwarded to the chairman, National Highways Authority of India for taking necessary action,” he wrote.
