Over 200 vehicles seized in vigilance drives in February, revenue loss pegged at ₹10.79 crore

More than 200 vehicles were seized during intensive enforcement drives carried out across the State in February by the Vigilance & Enforcement Department in coordination with officials from the Transport, State Tax, Mines and Geology, Commercial Taxes, Forest, Civil Supplies and Police departments.

Over 1,000 vehicles were inspected through joint route checks, surprise inspections and night-long monitoring at key highways, Outer Ring Road exits and major toll plazas. Cases were booked under the Motor Vehicles Act, GST Act, Mines and Geology Act, Forest Act and Essential Commodities Act for offences including overloading, non-payment of motor vehicle tax, absence of valid permits and e-way bills, illegal transportation of sand, gravel, bricks and other minerals, and diversion of essential commodities.

In special operations targeting illegal sand mining, 24 vehicles were seized, including six excavators, two lorries, one tipper and 15 tractors involved in unlawful excavation. A total of 245 metric tonnes of sand was recovered and 19 individuals were apprehended. Cases were registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Motor Vehicles Act.

Surprise checks on diversion of Public Distribution System commodities resulted in the seizure of about 131 quintals of PDS rice and 27 quintals of PDS wheat valued at about ₹5.8 lakh. The accused and the seized material were handed over to the concerned police stations and Civil Supplies authorities for further legal action.

Vigilance inspections were also conducted at welfare hostels in Sangareddy and Nalgonda districts, where deficiencies in functioning were identified and will be reported to the respective departments for corrective action.

During the month, the department detected a total revenue loss of ₹10.79 crore, including penalties imposed, and realised ₹1.96 crore.

Citizens have been requested to report irregularities or misuse of government funds or resources through the toll free number 14432.