RTI applicant rewarded for exposing toll operator's overcharging

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday approved a reward for an RTI applicant for exposing the overcharging by toll operator on NH 4, leading to recovery of Rs.1.8 crore, an official statement said.

"Considering the importance of the issue, NHAI has accorded approval for a reward amount of Rs. 10,000 to Prashant Ashok Burge under cash reward scheme," the road transport and highways ministry said in a statement.

The complainant has raised a very pertinent and important issue involving public interest through his RTI application, it added.

In March 2013, Burge had filed an application under Right to Information Act (RTI) regarding collection of excess user fee of Rs.5 from light motor vehicles for one way and return trips at 'Hattargi User Fee Plaza' on Belgaum-Maharashtra stretch of the national highway.

"It was observed that the user fee was being charged at Rs.20 and Rs.40 whereas it should have been Rs.15 and Rs.35 respectively," the statement said.

The excess collection of user fee of Rs.1.8 crore was also recovered from toll agency Konark Infrastructure Ltd, it added.