Meghalaya Chief Minister says the One-Time Settlement Scheme was a difficult but necessary decision to provide relief to thousands of commercial vehicle owners and their families
Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma defended the state government’s decision to waive nearly Rs 926 crore in long-pending transport dues, stating that governance must prioritise people’s welfare even when difficult financial decisions are involved.
Speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Joint Action Committee to honour the government’s One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for commercial vehicles, Sangma said development has little meaning unless it directly improves the lives of citizens.
“Humbled by the felicitation from the Joint Action Committee. Waiving nearly Rs 926 crore in long-pending dues was not an easy decision. But when nearly 16,000 commercial vehicle owners and their families were impacted, the choice became clear. Governance is about putting people first, even when the decisions are difficult,” the Chief Minister said.
Sangma, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, was felicitated for implementing the scheme.
The OTS Scheme, approved on May 27 and launched on June 11, offers an 80 per cent waiver on Motor Vehicle Tax and Goods and Passenger Tax dues, along with a 90 per cent waiver on Fitness Certificate penalties. Around 65,000 commercial vehicles are covered under the initiative, with the government waiving approximately Rs 926 crore out of Rs 1,043 crore in outstanding dues while aiming to recover the remaining Rs 117 crore.
According to the Chief Minister, the scheme has already generated a positive response, with Rs 4.48 crore collected since its launch. The scheme will remain open until August 31, 2026.
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