Awareness has to come first on amended MV Act: Nagaland cop

The amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019

The amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019

Some of the provisions under amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019. (IANS Infographic)

 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 10


As fear grips motorists across the country since the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019 came into effect on September 1, in Nagaland, stakeholders have called for sensitization campaign before it gets implemented here in the state. According to a police official in Dimapur, awareness has to come first. “The implementation has to be preceded by awareness campaign. The basic idea is not to harass the public,” commented the police official. 


It was though added that instances of two-wheeler riders wearing helmet has relatively increased over the past few days. 
Meanwhile, the Nagaland state government seems to be biding time as far as implementing the amended Act is concerned. Almost a week since the amended MV Act came into effect, there was no word from the state transport authority with regard to the government’s stance. 


Enhanced penalties and the apprehension it has generated has had several states and a union territory putting the brakes on implementing the amended Act. As per The Indian Express, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Union Territory of Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana and West Bengal were among the states which has put it on hold. The states of Gujarat, Delhi and Kerala were said to have expressed reservations. Odisha was among the first to implement it the day it came into effect.  


Fear intensified as reports made the news headlines of traffic cops imposing heavy penalties on motorists flouting rules in states where the amended Act went operational. The amended Act with enhanced penalties for traffic violations was passed by both Houses of the Parliament in July.


Penalties include Rs. 1000 for not wearing helmet/seatbelt, Rs 5000 for driving without licence, Rs 10000 for drunken driving, underage driving offences will attract Rs 25000 and 3 years imprisonment for the guardian or owner of the vehicle and so on. 


According to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the MV Act 2019 seeks to curb road fatalities through stricter rules and fines, besides improving other transport processes. 


 “The much needed amendments will improve road safety, facilitate citizens in their dealings with transport departments, strengthen rural transport, public transport and last mile connectivity through automation, computerization and online services,” maintained the Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari in a statement released via Press information Bureau on July 31.