No strict enforcement of rules on speed governors: HC
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday expressed strong dissatisfaction over the State Transport Department’s failure to implement the speed rule by installing speed governors. The court set aside the submission that Rs 17 lakh has been collected as fine from vehicle owners for failing to install speed governors.
A division bench, comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha, said statistics meant nothing and expressed surprise that vehicles arriving for fitness certificates (FCs) were inspected to see if speed governors were installed. Pointing out that while vehicles had to get fitness certificate every year, the bench wondered what happened in the interregnum period. The bench said no effective mechanism was in place to check the vehicles and ensure that speed governors were installed. The bench asked if the speed governors were a mere ornamental feature.
Citing instances of speeding vehicles, especially sand-laden lorries, the bench led by Justice M Sathyanarayanan said a whole lot of vehicles were on the road without the mandatory rear lights and reflective stickers. Holding that the new norm of installing speed governors had turned out to be a money-making process for the transport department, the bench also sought to know the action taken against such authorities. Slamming the status reports filed by officials, the bench said none of the claims actually reflected on the roads. The bench issued a notice to the Principal Secretary, Transport Department, to appear before it on February 15. The bench would want the Secretary to assist it in assessing the mechanism in place regarding the installation of speed governors. The Transport Commissioner, who appeared before the bench, submitted that since 2017 a separate enforcement wing was functioning for this purpose and more than 9,700 vehicles had been booked for failure to install speed governors.
Stalin demands DVAC probe: DMK president MK Stalin has urged the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to probe alleged irregularities in provision of fitness certificates by the State Transport Department through select private firms.
Stalin said that though the circular has been withdrawn following court order, applicants still procure equipment and avail acknowledgement letter from private firms to obtain fitness certificate.