The Hindu Business Line : States oppose move to allow pvt bodies to conduct vehicle tests

New Delhi, Jan. 17 The Centre’s proposal to empower private drivers training institutions to ‘recommend’ issuance of licences and allow authorised private garages to examine vehicles and issue fitness certificates has hit a road block.

Several State Governments have protested against the proposed amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act which according to them will undermine the role of Road Transport authorities and lead to backdoor privatisation of motor vehicle regulation and related functions.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed amending the Motor Vehicles Act in order to expand the scope of institutions that can provide drivers training, conduct tests and issue certificates for drivers of motorised vehicles. These certificates could work as recommendations for issuance of driving licences for motorised vehicles. It has also proposed that authorised private garages be allowed to examine vehicles and issue fitness certificates.

The amendment envisages that though the power to issue driving licences should lie with State Governments, private institutions and automobile associations (authorised by State Governments for such jobs) should be allowed to train and test drivers and issue certificates. Based on these certificates, the licensing authority (the Regional Transport Offices) may exempt the applicant from the test to drive a motor vehicle.

The issue is now with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. Several State Governments that have deposed before the Committee have expressed their reservations on the issue, it is learnt.

Incidentally, States have also objected to other amendments suggested by the Centre with regards to goods movement regulations. While the Centre wants to bring in amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act that would not allow overloaded vehicles to move the goods without offloading the excess load at the check-posts, the States are against the move.

The States have expressed their inability to adhere to the provision on getting transporters to offload the excess load. They have cited practical problems in implementing the rule that include lack of weigh bridges as well as adequate space to offload the cargo. Another problem pointed out by States in implementing the rule is unavailability of manpower to do the job. Some of the States also admit that they fear losing the revenues that they earn by imposing fines and allowing truckers to carry overloaded vehicles, according to official sources.