VASCO
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Thursday said the new Motor Vehicle Act is likely to be kept in abeyance for a year, as the State government did not want to impose stiff fines on public during a pandemic and a representation has been made to the Centre in this regard.
Speaking to reporters, Godinho said the BJP has been concerned about public sentiments during the pandemic.
“The BJP requested me to keep in abeyance the implementation of the amended Motor Vehicle Act. We have already delayed the implementation of the new MV Act by over 18 months because we were not convinced over imposing such high fines to Goans.”
“We kept speaking to the Centre, but they insisted that the law is passed by the parliament. But now, not only Goa but other States have also come forward to delay implementation of the new MV Act and when we spoke to other States, they said we could give a joint representation to the Centre.”
“We made the representation immediately to the Centre and I also spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in this matter,” said Godinho.
The minister said with steep fines during the pandemic and with rising Covid cases, Goans could be badly affected.
“We don't want Goans to be affected under such circumstances. The representation came from the BJP, which is mindful of public sentiments as people are worried about paying pay such huge fines.”
“We will now move a note in the cabinet meeting and once it is passed, we will decide to keep in abeyance the implementation of this new MV Act by one year," said Godinho.
“Once the road-widening works, construction of new bridges, installation of signals, hot-mixing of roads, filling of potholes and improvement in traffic flow and other infrastructure is completed, the State government will think on implementation of the new MV Act in the State,” he said.
