Odisha Govt Warns Automobile Dealers Charging Excess: Give Receipt, Display Payment Details; Check Order

Cuttack: The Odisha government has warned automobile dealers against overcharging buyers of new vehicles. The State Transport Authority (STA) said in an order that dealers cannot charge extra from buyers without proper receipt and directed RTOs to take action against errant dealers.

The STA pointed out that from January 1, the Odisha Transport department has started issuing driving licences and registration certificates of vehicles online, bringing down the registration fee from Rs 282 to Rs 140. It said that some dealers were not passing on this benefit to buyers.

It also made mandatory for all automobile dealers to display details of payment to be made by buyer on a notice board at a conspicuous place in their showrooms. It should be mentioned that no extra payment need to be made other than those mentioned on board, the order said.

All charges whether essential or optional must be clearly mentioned on the board, and dealers must issue receipts for them, the order added.

The order also said the government charges only registration and tax for new vehicles and hence distributors should charge only that and not any extra amount in the name of handling charges etc.