Odisha Govt Takes Steps to Relax Rules under MV Act

Bhubaneswar: Days after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed officials not to enforce provisions of the new Motor Vehicles Act aggressively for three months, the Odisha Government has initiated steps for relaxation of rules under new Act.

As per reports, Transport Department Secretary G. Srinivas wrote to the Odisha DGP requesting the latter of non-compounding of offences during vehicle checking.

“You are requested to kindly take necessary steps by issuing suitable instructions to all SPs/Deputy Commissioners of Police to ensure that while enforcing different provisions of MV Act, not to compound offence punishable under section 184 (except using mobile phone while driving) and section 185 (drunken driving) as the said offences are not compoundable under section 200 of said Act,” the Secretary mentioned in the letter.

The use of mobile phones while driving and drunken driving will remain compoundable, sources said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister urged the enforcement agencies not to go on overdrive of Motor Vehicle Act but counsel and handhold the people to facilitate compliance.

The Chief Minister’s Office said this process will continue over next three months so that adequate time is available to the public to ensure compliance.

The Transport Department has been directed to augment public services, strengthen the Facilitation Centres, open extra counters, conduct camps in public institutions so as to enable the motor vehicle users to update their compliance status.