Revanth Reddy faces backlash over traffic challan auto debit proposal
Hyderabad citizens and commentators criticized CM A Revanth Reddy’s proposal to auto-debit traffic challan fines from bank accounts, citing legal, constitutional, and ethical concerns. Critics highlighted contradictions with past Congress promises of waivers and questioned the fairness of automatic deductions without due process
Hyderabad: Hyderabad: A day after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy suggested auto debit of traffic challan amounts from vehicle owners’ bank accounts, people from different sections on Tuesday exposed what they called the Congress government’s double standards.
Stating that the Chief Minister’s suggestions were deeply concerning and raised serious legal, constitutional and ethical questions, entrepreneur Nayini Anurag Reddy said the proposal directly contradicted the Congress party’s election manifesto.
“As PCC president, Revanth Reddy had publicly promised a 50 percent waiver on pending traffic challans. After assuming office, not only has this promise been withdrawn, but citizens are now being spoken to about automatic recovery of penalties. Such a complete reversal exposes the hypocrisy and also reveals the commitment Congress party has on their manifesto,” Anurag Reddy said.
Secondly, the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to due process. Any penalty or fine must allow scope for explanation, appeal and redress. Automatic deduction from bank accounts, without consent or adjudication, violates this fundamental principle. It was unfortunate that such a suggestion came from the Chief Minister, he stressed.
“Will the government introduce auto-deduction from contractors, whose roads deteriorate within months of construction. Will the officials, who certify substandard works, Ministers overseeing faulty projects and elected representatives be held responsible for government failures?” he asked.
Sharing an old video of Revanth Reddy on X, BharathMBNR, an X user, said “While, in the opposition, Revanth Reddy fumed at drunk driving drives and harassment of motorists. However, after coming to power, he suggested auto debit of traffic challan amount from their bank account.”
Apart from questioning the double standards of the Congress government and raising concerns, many were also taking sarcastic jibes at the Chief Minister over the suggestion.
Welcoming the Chief Minister’s plans, @kkkmohan73, an X user, said “If the roads are not good, whose account should be debited with how much amount. If the traffic signals are not working, whose account should be debited with how much amount?”
He also asked from whose account the amount should be deducted for making motorists burn more fuel with ‘U’ turns exceeding distances from 200 metres to a kilometre.
