Odisha disallows hiring of private vehicles

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government had disallowed hiring of  non-transport (private) vehicles by Central and State government departments, Central and state PSUs, ULBs, industrial houses, and individuals.

FIR will be lodged against hirer of the private vehicle and action will be taken against the owner, a circular of the State Transport Authority (STA) said.

“Central and State Government Departments, PSUs of Central and State Government, ULBs, autonomous bodies, industrial houses, individuals etc. can hire and use only motor cabs, maxi cabs and omni buses (passenger carrying vehicles) which are registered under transport category,” the circular said.

“It is hereby instructed that during enforcement, efforts should be made to detect cases where private passenger carrying vehicles are used for hire or reward. E-challan needs to be issued against vehicle owners and steps need to be taken to convert the private vehicle to transport category,” it said.

“However it must be ensured that non-erring vehicles or individuals boarding the non-transport passenger carrying vehicle are not unduly harassed,” the circular added.