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A new Motor Vehicles Bill proposing hefty penalties for violating traffic rules and streamlining the vehicle registration process was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid protests from the Opposition, which said its copies were not circulated to them in advance according to the usual practice.
As Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari got up to to introduce the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, members from the Congress, Trinamool Congress and Left rose in protest and urged Speaker Sumitra Mahajan not to allow its introduction, saying it would set a “bad precedent”. The Speaker overruled their objections, saying that the Bill was only being tabled and a discussion would follow later.
The provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016 include an increase in compensation for hit-and-run cases from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh, as also payment of compensation up to Rs 10 lakh in road accident fatalities.
The proposed penalties include Rs 1,000-4,000 for over-speeding, Rs 2,000 for driving without insurance, while driving a two-wheeler without helmet would attract a fine of Rs 2,000 and a three-month suspension of licence.
Introducing the Bill, Gadkari said some 1.5 lakh road accidents took place daily and appealed for early passage of the Bill by the Lok Sabha so that it could be moved to the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing session, which ends this Friday.
“I am ready to accept your suggestions. More lives could be lost if a lot of time passes before it is passed,” he said.
However, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge insisted that the important legislation be sent to a parliamentary committee for detailed discussions.
He was supported by Saugata Roy of TMC, who said the practice of circulating a Bill among members two days before its introduction, was not followed.
Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) said he received a copy of the Bill only on Tuesday morning, adding that members should be given time to study the “voluminous legislation
On juvenile offence, the Bill proposes that guardian/ owner shall also be deemed guilty. Registration of motor vehicle to be cancelled
National register for driving licence and for vehicle registration through Vahan and Sarathi platforms will facilitate uniformity across the country
For new vehicles , registration at the end of the dealer is being enabled and restrictions to be imposed on temporary registration
Testing and certification for automobiles proposed to be regulated more effectively, with testing agencies to be brought under the Act’s ambit
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