Stop collecting fines from other State goods carriages: Odisha Transport Commissioner

Cuttack: The Odisha State Transport Authority today asked the Odisha Motor Vehicle Department (OMVD) officials to stop collecting fines other State goods carriages once in every month under Section 177 and 194-B (1) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

In a circular, Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the State Transport Authority Sanjeeb Panda said, “It is noticed that OMVD officers are collecting fine invariably from other State goods carriages once in every month under Section 177 and Section 194-B (1) of MV Act, 1988 mechanically without adhering to the provisions of statute. The vehicle operators from other parts of the country are raising concerns about this practice in different forums and this is tarnishing the image of our State.”

The circular further mentioned all penal provisions need to be enforced uniformly across the State for all motor vehicles without resorting to any discrimination between home State and other State goods carriages.

It is also noticed that the OMVD officials are drawing e-VCRs against other State goods carriages under Section 177 for second and subsequent offence and collecting fine of rupees one thousand five hundred in every month. In some cases e-VCRs are being drawn under Section 177 as first offence along with section 194 B (1) of M.V. Act, 1988 and collecting total fine amount of rupees one thousand five hundred in every month, the circular said.