Hyderabad: The state government has decided not to implement the amended MV Act, which imposes high penalties on erring motorists, rightaway. In view of the manifold increase in penalties. Chief Minis-ter K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asked the Road Transport Authority and the traffic police to study the implementation of the Act in other states and then take a decision in consultation with the government.
Mr Sunil Sharma, pr-incipal secretary, transport, roads and buildings, told this newspaper, “officials were in-formed not to implement the Motor Vehi-cles Amendment Act, 2019, and the penalties it prescribes. Discussions are underway regarding the penalties that are to be collected. Officials have been informed to create awareness among the public about the new Act.”
He said that the Andhra Pradesh, Kar-nataka, Kerala and other state governments were deliberating upon the quantum of penalties and other modalities, and they were not implementing the Act from September 1 as scheduled
In the wake of the confusion amongst the public about the hefty penalties, transport and traffic police officials said that they were asked to examine the possibilities under the law for reducing the penalties.
The transport department has formed a committee to study the pro and cons of implementing the amended Act and will send a report to the Chief Minister.
The traffic police, however, said that for offences under the MV Act which are charge-sheeted, the penalties would be imposed by the courts according to the amended Act.
Though the Centre has issued a gazette on the amended penalties, the state government has some room for manoeuvre under Section 200 of the MV Act to take a call on the penalties.
Cyberabad deputy commissioner, traffic, S.M. Vijay Kumar, told this newspaper that Section 200 will give scope for reworking the penal amounts.
Mr K. Papa Rao, deputy transport commissioner, said: “The RTA has formed an internal committee to study the new Motor Vehicle Act in connection with its implementation in Telangana state. After a thorough analysis, a final report would be prepared and sent to the Chief Minister for approval, after which a government order would be issued. Till then even traffic police department is not authorised to implement the Act.”
