THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: After several postponements, the amended Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) with hefty fines for some violations will finally come into force in Goa from April 1, 2022. The highest fine of Rs 10,000 each is for those driving without a valid driving licence and using a vehicle without permit.
The amended law was passed in both Houses of Parliaments in August 2019 and all the States were expected to implement it from September 2019. While some States, including Goa, had opposed the hiked fees considering Goa being a small State and the poor condition of the roads, the then BJP-led government decided to defer the implementation with an assurance to lower fines for certain offences. The proposal placed by then Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho would be turned down by the cabinet following which the former announced that the legislation will be enforced after the 2022 Assembly elections.
Accordingly, the Directorate of Transport on Saturday issued a public notice informing about the amended fine amount for compounding the offence.
The Act levies hefty penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 40,000 (including repeat offence) and even Rs 1 lakh for offences committed by manufacturer, importer and dealer of vehicles, but the department has announced implementation of only a few offences with lowered fines.
The law also accords authority to the implementing agencies to suspend the driving licence of those carrying three persons on a motorcycle and riding without helmet besides imposing a fine of Rs 3,000 each. The suspension of licence will be for minimum of three months. Those caught over speeding will face a penalty of Rs 1,000 (light motor vehicle) and Rs 2,000 (other than LMV) for the first offence, and suspension of driving licence on second offence.
The fine amount for driving dangerously and recklessly and not wearing of seat belt is fixed at Rs 1,000 each, whereas riding/driving a vehicle without registration/fitness and driving uninsured vehicle will be Rs 2,000 each.
“Public are hereby requested to obey traffic rules for safety of self and others,” Transport Director Rajan Satardekar said.
