Rajasthan VLTD allegations have brought the state’s Vehicle Location Tracking Device rollout for commercial vehicles under scrutiny, with former transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas claiming that irregularities could be worth between Rs 800 crore and Rs 1,000 crore. Khachariyawas raised the issue at a news conference in Jaipur on Monday and sought the public release of tender, company, dealer and fee details.
The allegation concerns the installation of VLTDs in commercial vehicles, including taxis, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. Khachariyawas said Rajasthan had more than 16 lakh commercial vehicles and questioned why the cost of a device had allegedly risen sharply for vehicle owners.
According to the former minister, a device that could earlier be installed for around Rs 5,000 was now costing vehicle owners between Rs 15,000 and Rs 17,000. He also referred to complaints in which receipts allegedly showed a charge of approximately Rs 5,500, while vehicle owners were asked to pay as much as Rs 15,500.
“If a device that could earlier be installed for around Rs 5,000 is now costing vehicle owners Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000, the govt must explain why. Who is pocketing the additional money?” Khachariyawas said, according to the report.
Khachariyawas demanded answers from Rajasthan Transport Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and called for the state government to disclose the tenders, participating companies, dealers and fee structure if the rollout had been conducted according to rules. He also demanded an impartial investigation and strict action if irregularities were established.
The allegations place the financial burden of transport compliance at the centre of the dispute. Commercial vehicle owners are required to meet regulatory and safety-related requirements, but the difference between the alleged receipt value and the amount reportedly sought from vehicle owners is now being presented as a question of transparency in procurement, installation and fee collection.
The VLTD issue also comes against the backdrop of continuing complaints over high-security registration plates, or HSRPs. Khachariyawas alleged that vehicle owners had not received the relief promised in connection with excess-charge complaints in that process either. The report did not include a response from the Rajasthan transport department or Minister Prem Chand Bairwa to the allegations.
A formal inquiry, publication of the relevant tenders and clarification of the authorised fee structure would be required to establish whether the alleged price differences resulted from procurement costs, installation charges, dealer margins or unauthorised collections. At present, the reported figures remain allegations made by Khachariyawas and have not been independently established in the supplied material.
