Lok Sabha Question No. 2900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-05
Subject: Penalties under Motor Vehicles(Amendment) Act
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the penalties have been increased manifolds under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act implemented with effect from September 1, 2019 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said Act has been implemented uniformly across all the States and UTs or several States have reduced the penalties;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor and the action taken in this regard;
- (d) whether electronic version of driving documents saved in citizens' Digilocker or m-Parivahan apps are valid and acceptable as a proof;
- (e) if  so,  whether  the  the  Government  has  received  any  grievances/complaints  from  citizens against the traffic police in this regard; and
- (f) if so, the measures taken for stricter compliance of the rules by the concerned authorities?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 inter alia provides for enhancement of penalties for offences for ensuring greater compliance and enhancing deterrence for violation of traffic rules which is intended to provide for better Road Safety resulting in reduction of accidents and fatalities on roads.
- (b) and (c) As per section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 the State Government may, by notification in the official gazette, specify such amount for compounding of certain offences.
- (d) The Government has issued G.S.R 1081(E) dated 02.11.2019 to amend rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 vide which production of certificate of registration, insurance, fitness and permit, the driving licence and any other relevant documents in electronic form has been made valid.

Ministry  vide  letter  dated  08.08.2018  and  19.11.2018  has  issued  advisory  to  all  the States/UTs to accept the documents presented in electronic form in the Digilocker platform or the mParivahan App as valid under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and be treated at par with the certificates issued by transport authorities. Further, the Ministry vide letter dated 17.12.2018 has circulated an

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2900

ANSWERED ON 5 TH  DECEMBER, 2019

## PENALTIES UNDER MOTOR VEHICLES (AMENDMENT) ACT

## 2900.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

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advisory  containing  the  Standard  Operating  Procedures  to  be  adopted  by  traffic/  transport  related enforcement agencies to validate or impound documents in case the citizens produce documents in an electronic form as per the provisions of rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

(e) and (f) The Ministry had received certain grievances after the implementation of fines related to traffic violations under new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019 where citizens have raised the concerns that  the  documents  available  in  Digi  locker  or  m-Parivahan  app  of  this  Ministry  are  not considered  valid  by  enforcement  agencies.  An  advisory  dated  23.11.2019  has  been  issued  by  this Ministry to State/UTs, advising them to issue necessary directions to all the enforcement agencies to accept documents in electronic form which is also available on Ministry's website www.morth.nic.in.

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