PANAJI
The State government has decided to auction unclaimed vehicles causing public obstruction in Panaji City.
"The vehicles are breeding grounds for mosquitoes which causes rise in the vector-borne diseases and thus leads to health hazard to the staff of police stations and also to the general public,” states the proclamation issued by North Goa District Megistrate Mamu Hage.
The collector has given six months for persons interested in the vehicles to submit the claims to the office of deputy collector and sub divisional magistrate.
"If no objections claims are received within the stipulated time, the vehicles will be forfeited in favour of the state government and shall be disposed by public auction as provided under law and no further claims will be entertained from any one and the proceeds will be forfeited to the government,” the notice adds.
The Corporation of the City of Panaji had earlier made an unsuccessful attempt to auction vehicles after the finance department did not give permission to go ahead with the auction as a bid value was much lower than the prices of vehicles.
A survey conducted by the Panaji Traffic Police in Panaji City in 2018 had identified 199 vehicles as ‘abandoned vehicles’ within the limits of Panaji City, comprising 101 two-wheelers, 93 four-wheelers and five rickshaws.
These vehicles are not being used for a number of days and are parked idle and occupying parking space in Panaji city. Some businessmen also use some of these vehicles to store their goods. Some junk vehicles were also found parked on the road.
As per Section 127(1) of the MV Act, any such vehicles which are left unattended for more than 10 hours will be considered as an abandoned vehicle.
In the past, about 50 such ‘abandoned vehicles’ have been auctioned by CCP after the owners failed to claim these vehicles.
