Hyderabad: Following allegations that some dealers are delivering vehicles without issuing mandatory Temporary Registration Certificates (TRs) and collecting unauthorised charges from customers, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has ordered immediate inspections of vehicle dealerships and showrooms across Telangana.Transport commissioner K Ilambarithi issued a memo directing the joint transport commissioner, Hyderabad, district transport officers (DTOs), regional transport officers (RTOs), and other senior officials to conduct both surprise and scheduled inspections of all vehicle showrooms, dealerships, and authorised dealers in the state.According to the memo, the department has received information indicating that certain dealers are handing over vehicles without generating valid TRs through the VAHAN portal, in violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The department has also found that some dealers are collecting excessive and unauthorised amounts from purchasers at the time of vehicle delivery, resulting in financial loss to the public.During the inspections, officials have been instructed to verify whether every vehicle delivered to a purchaser is accompanied by a valid TR generated through the VAHAN portal, containing complete details. They have also been directed to examine whether dealers are collecting only the prescribed statutory fees, road tax, and insurance premium, and are not imposing unauthorised charges such as handling fees, logistics charges, delivery charges, documentation charges, or any other non-permissible levies without proper authorisation or transparency.Officials have also been asked to ensure that proper receipts and bills are issued for every payment received from customers. In addition, they will verify whether vehicles are delivered with valid insurance policies, whether the applicable road tax has been paid before delivery, and whether buyers possess documentary proof of these compliances at the time of delivery. The inspections will also assess whether dealerships prominently display the ex-showroom price, applicable statutory levies, and other permissible charges in accordance with the manufacturer’s and govt-prescribed norms to ensure transparency for prospective buyers.The transport commissioner has instructed officials to immediately document any violations detected during the inspections and issue show-cause notices to the dealers or showrooms concerned. In cases involving serious or repeated violations, officials have been asked to consider suspension or cancelling the dealer’s trade certificate. They have also been directed to initiate steps to secure refunds of any excess or unauthorised charges collected from vehicle purchasers.“All inspecting officers have been instructed to submit a detailed compliance and inspection report to the transport commissioner’s office within 30 days of the issuance of the memo. Any failure by officials to comply with these directions will be viewed seriously and may invite appropriate administrative and disciplinary action under the applicable service rules,” Ilambarithi warned.
