Goemkarponn desk
Panaji: The State Cabinet today witnessed heated discussion on the Implementation of Chapter XIII (offences, penalties and procedure) in respect of Amendment Act. 32 of 2019 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, in the State.
Sources said that though the implementation of new Motor Vehicle Act was discussed it was deferred after a few ministers spoke strongly against it.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant told reporters that “there was no decision on the transport bill.”
Sources revealed that the Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral were totally against the implementation.
“Where is the infrastructure to implement the Bill, the road conditions are really in bad condition,” sources quoted ministers as saying.
They said that first get the infrastructure in place and only then implementation can be done.
The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 (the Act). was enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to motor vehicles.
The Act was amended several times to adapt to the technological upgradation emerging in road transport, motor vehicle management and to improve road safety and transport system.
Government of India amended the Act by way of (Amendment Act) 32 of 2019 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 which is made effective from 1/9/2019 with certain new provisions. The Act provide for power to State Government to notify officers under section 200 of the Act to compound offence by imposing penalty. Accordingly Department has prepared a draft notification in this matter
PRESENT PROPOSAL
The proposal of the Department is to implement the amended version of Chapter XIII (offences, penalties and procedure) in respect of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, No 32 of 2019, in the State of Goa as envisaged by the Central Government Act, No.32 of 2019. In the light of powers vested with the State Government by way of section 200 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, Draft Notification in Annexure “A” alongwith Schedule A Schedule ‘B’ and Schedule ‘C” has been prepared and vetted by the Law Department, the same has now to be placed before the Council of Ministers.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION
Fines are not aimed to generate revenue but it is an instant and effective deterrence for control of violations and better to administer as compared with prosecution process. Revenue from fines for the year 2019-20 is Rs 12.52 crore collected by Transport and Police Department. After implementation of above mentioned schedules in respect of revision of fines/ penalties in the State of Goa there is likely increase in revenue by way of fines/ penalties at the same time reduction in overall violations and improved traffic disciple is expected