PANAJI
From midnight on March 31, get ready to pay more fines for traffic violations.
According to state Director of Transport Rajan Satardekar, both the Road Transport Authority and the State police are all geared up to implement the amended Motor Vehicle Act, which is aimed at deterring traffic violations with high penalties.
"The Motor Vehicle act was amended sometime back. We are starting its implementation from April 1. The fines under the new MVA have been increased and power to compound has been given to the police and RTO departments. So the implementation will begin at 12 midnight," Satardekar said.
The top Transport department official chaired a meeting attended by officials of the National Informatics Centre, which is assisting the Police and Transport departments in creating a tech backbone for implementation of the new roster of fines.
"We had a meeting regarding IT implementation to check updation of PoS machines and the system. We are ready with that. We had a meeting with NIC. We have already sent a letter to the police. It will be smooth from tomorrow onwards," Satardekar said.
Under provisions of the amended 2019 Motor Vehicle Act, riding triple seat on a two-wheeler will attract a fine of Rs 1000 plus a three month driver's licence suspension, driving a vehicle without permit or licence will ensure a fine of Rs. 10,000, overspeeding will set you back by a fine ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, while driving an uninsured vehicle can get you a fine of Rs 2,000.
Satardekar said that the Goa government was bound to implement the new, albeit unpopular fines because a Supreme Court-monitored committee had already hauled up the government for delaying the implementation of the new fine regime.
"Not possible to keep it on hold. We are already facing flak from the Court. It has already been deferred twice," he said, adding that because the Transport department was a part of the Constitution's concurrent list, the State could not make radical amendments to the new fine tariff.
Satardekar also urged vehicle owners to drive carefully in order to avoid fines from April 1.
"We have also started awareness through media and social media. So, I request everyone to follow the law. Do not give an opportunity to impose the fine," Satardekar said.
"If there is violation only then the question of fines come. This was long due. Fines implementation is monitored by a Supreme Court committee. We are in default. We have to show compliance and show it to them," he added.
