Transport ministry extends validity of vehicle permits

IN AN ADVISORY TO ALL STATES AND UTS, THE GOVT HAS ASKED THEM TO TREAT SUCH DOCUMENTS AS VALID TILL JUNE 30

NEWDELHI: The Centre on Monday extended till June 30 the validity of documents l i ke driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1, in a move to ensure hassle-free transportation of cargo amid the lockdown over the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an advisory to all states and Union territories, the ministry of road transport and highways has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30.

The decision was taken to facilitate the citizens facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules due to nationwide lockdown in the country and closure of government transport offices, according to the advisory.

It requested all states to “treat documents under MV Act & Rules, whose extension of validity could not or not likely be processed due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of February, 2020 or would expire by 30th of June 2020, as valid till 30th of June 2020.” The documents include fitness, permit (all types), driving licence, registration or any other concerned document under the Motor Vehicles Act.

It pointed out that the government had provided for the availability of the essential goods and production, and had allowed the vehicles for the transport of such goods/cargo.

The ministry requested all states to implement the advisory in “letter and spirit” so that the people and transporters and organisations rendering essential services do not get harassed and face difficulties.

Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till June 30. The Ministry said that the order will comply with the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

‘Non-use clause facility’ for transport vehicles for suspensions of tax liability, which is operational in a number of states and the facility is being provided by the NIC on the VAHAN platform online, may be adopted by the other states to give relief to the commercial vehicles like taxi, bus and other vehicles which are non-operational under the current circumstances, the order mentioned.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 announced a complete lockdown across the country announcing a threeweek lockdown to maintain social distancing to break the chain of infection from the deadly virus. The lockdown will continue till April 14.