Team Herald
PANJIM: The Transport Department is all set to clamp down on the motor driving schools that have failed to meet the mandatory parameters laid down in the Motor Vehicles Act. An audit by International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Gurgaon has indicated that majority of the 145 schools inspected, have failed to meet the requirements.
“We are expected to get the audit report by December-end after which is will be placed before the government for its approval. The details shared with us so far are that some motor driving schools are in pitiable state and many have not complied with the MV Act,” Transport Director Nikhil Desai said speaking to Herald.
Aiming to enforce the road safety concept on the roads, the State government had roped-in ICAT, Gurgaon to undertake the study of the registered schools starting in September. The Transport department had warned that schools failing to comply with the norms will face strict action like suspension of license or other penalty whereas those meeting the standards will be graded suitably.
Desai said that the non-compliant schools will however get an opportunity to meet the required standards else face a permanent shut down. “The auditing of the schools is to ensure that drivers are properly trained in all aspects and the process of obtaining driving licenses is not just a formality. The MV Act is nothing new but an old law which needs to be mandatorily complied with by all the motor driving schools,” he said adding, “The non MV Act compliant schools will be given a chance to comply with all the rules under the MV Act. If they still fail, we will not hesitate to shut it down (suspend the license). The rules are meant to be obeyed by every individual and institution.”
During the interim period, the non-compliant driving schools will reportedly be directed to suspend its operations till the compliances are made.
The Lokayukta had last year questioned the functioning of all motor driving schools while also observing that many were either ill-equipped or did not have adequate infrastructure to provide professional training to the learners.
