Toll Collection to Resume on National Highways from Midnight of 2nd December; Old Rs 500 notes to be accepted till midnight of December 15, but only for purchase of FASTags and where toll fee exceeds Rs 200; Highway users being encouraged to carry adequate change , make use of electronic payment systems
Government of India
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
01-December-2016 12:57 IST
The collection of toll at all Toll Plazas on National Highways across the country will resume from the midnight of 2nd December, 2016. The Government is taking several steps to ensure smooth movement of traffic along the highways.
All Toll Plazas have been equipped with adequate numbers of POS ( Swipe machines) through which people can make payments using their credit or debit cards. Toll fee can also be paid through pre-paid instruments (electronic wallets)
In addition to the above electronic payment methods, the Government is also encouraging people to buy the RFID based FASTags introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to enable cashless payments at Toll Plazas. The FASTags can be stuck on to the windshield of the vehicle, and toll payments are made directly from the pre-paid account linked to it. Arrangements for sale of the FASTags are also being made at selected Toll Fee Plazas. The immediate use of FASTags will entail a 10 percent discount on the toll fee, in addition to faster movement through dedicated lanes at the Toll Plazas.
As for making cash payments, the highway users are being requested to carry adequate change with them to avoid delay. The old Rs 500 notes will be accepted till the midnight of December 15, but this will only be for purchasing FASTags and for making toll payments of more than Rs 200.
Officers and representatives of the National Highways Authority of India are being deployed at all Toll Plazas to ensure smooth operations. Their contact details will be displayed at the Toll Plazas.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=154683
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
01-December-2016 16:54 IST
After the cancellation of legal tender character of old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denomination bank notes, the Government had exempted certain categories of transactions wherein the old high denomination bank notes were accepted. The Government had extended the exemption period for these categories from time to time. At present, exemptions are allowed on certain types of transactions wherein payment of old Rs. 500 bank notes are permitted up to a specified date.
The processes of production, dispatch and distribution of currency notes have been continuing and more cash is flowing into the system steadily. The digital transactions have also made an impressive progress and are expected to significantly improve during the coming days. Now, therefore, as digital transaction options have been increasing across different sections of the economy, it has been observed that the outlets of the oil and gas marketing companies are better equipped to accept payments through digital means. Hence, it has been decided that with effect from the midnight of 2nd December, 2016, petrol, diesel and gas outlets of Public Sector oil and gas marketing companies will be removed from the exempted category for receipt of old Rs. 500 bank notes. It may be noted that supply of LPG continues to be in the exempted category for payment through old Rs. 500 bank notes.
Similarly, purchase of air tickets at the airports was included initially in the exempted category. It is observed that air ticketing counters have facilities to accept non cash/digital payments. Further, enough time has been allowed for travelers to be prepared with legal tender and/or non cash modes of payment. It has, therefore, been decided that with effect from midnight of 2nd December, 2016, the exemption allowed for purchase of air tickets at airports through old Rs. 500 notes will be removed from the exempted category.
The other exempted categories that have earlier been notified will continue to accept old Rs. 500 notes as per the said notifications.
Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=154722
