Vehicle owners who had to pay their tax by April 28 or immediately thereafter but failed to do so can clear their dues without any penalty by July 31, the Bengal government said on Thursday.

This will be a one-time relief, the government said.

Usually, owners of commercial and private vehicles enjoy a grace period of 15 working days to pay their tax, after which defaulters invite a penalty. The rates of penalty are 25 per cent (for the first 45 days), 50 per cent (next 75 days) and 100 per cent (beyond that).

“Private vehicle owners have to pay tax for at least five years. For small cars, the amount is usually Rs 25,000,” said a transport department official.

The government notice announcing the penalty says all motor vehicle offices were shut from May 15 because of Covid curbs. Which means vehicle owners whose tax validity had expired on April 28 couldn't pay even after the grace period.

The order, issued by the transport secretary, spells out that “due to closures of the counters during the restriction period the vehicles which had valid tax on April 28 would be liable to pay a penalty...”

It says: “Therefore... the government of West Bengal... condones the delay of payment of tax... on motor vehicles which have tax validity as on and after April 28, 2021...”