PANJIM: The suspension of driving licenses for certain traffic violation has been kept in abeyance by Transport Department, until it receives a legal opinion on the matter.
Transport Director Nikhil Desai has issued an order to all regional transport offices across Goa stating that the department has moved a proposal to the State Government for a sound legal opinion on the issue. Desai said that the matter is under consideration.
“Therefore till such time a proper legal opinion is obtained on this issues, I direct all the licencing authorities to keep all such requests for suspension of MDLs received from Police/RTO authorities in abeyance till further orders,” Desai’s order states.
He added that dates fixed for hearings may be postponed indefinitely with immediate effect. The Director further said that any violation of these directives will make the concerned licencing authority liable for strict disciplinary action.
As per guidelines framed by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCORS), violations such as over speeding, jumping the red light, drunken driving, using mobile phones while driving and carrying passengers on goods vehicle are liable for suspension of licence.
Till March 31, Transport Department has received 7279 licences seized and forwarded for suspension.
Desai said the department has taken cognisance of the increasing cases of requests for suspension of driving licences received from the Police/RTO. He added that the decision has been taken following concerns raised in various quarters on whether SCORS guidelines are binding on statutory authorities and whether suspending licenses after compounding of the offence amounts to double jeopardy.
