No new year discount offers on pending traffic challans, confirm Telangana police; viral message is fake

Hyderabad: A fake message is circulating on social media with the claim that, being the end of 2024, the Telangana police are offering a discount on pending traffic challans from December 26 to January 10, 2025.

Several Facebook users shared the claim stating, “Big Discount on Pending Traffic Challans… Here are the Details. Telangana Police have announced a special discount to help citizens clear their pending traffic challans. Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.” (Archive)

The posts stated that an 80 per cent discount is being offered on pending fines for two-wheelers, while a 60 per cent discount is available for four-wheelers. The posts also featured the same message in Telugu on a card bearing Telangana police insignia.

However, the official X handle of the Hyderabad Traffic Police, in a post on December 24, clarified that the message regarding the discount on pending challans is fake. The post also requested netizens not to believe such messages and not to spread rumours without valid proof.

Were there any such offers in the past?

In December 2023, the Telangana government launched a one-time settlement scheme to clear pending challans, which was in effect from December 26 to January 10, 2024. Under this initiative, the State government provided discounts ranging from 60 to 90 per cent on pending traffic challans. However, no such scheme or offer has been introduced this year.