Vehicles plying without insurance to be penalised

The Haryana transport department has asked all secretaries of the regional transport authorities (RTA) in the state to take action against those found plying vehicles without the mandatory insurance required under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Haryana transport department has asked all secretaries of the regional transport authorities (RTA) in the state to take action against those found plying vehicles without the mandatory insurance required under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

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Transport commissioner Sumita Misra on Friday said, "We have also been directed to prosecute owners of such vehicles or persons responsible for the violation in accordance with the law to ensure adherence of provisions contained in sections 146 and 147 of the Motor Vehicles Act."

She said that directions have been issued not to register any motor vehicle which was not been insured.

Also, officials have been asked to obtain a copy of the valid insurance certificate along with the application form for transfer of ownership of vehicle, issuance of no objection certificate (NOC), renewal of certificate of registration of the vehicle, reassignment of new registration mark on transfer of vehicle to other states and change in residence.

All secretaries have been directed to submit a detailed report in this regard within a week, she added.

Misra further said that according to Section 196 of the Act, the offence of driving an uninsured vehicle was punishable with imprisonment which might be extended to three months or with fine which may extend to R1,000 or both.

The Registering Authority was required to obtain a copy of the insurance certificate from the owner of the vehicle while delivering various services under the Act.

Misra said that these directions have been issued in accordance with the writ petition — General Insurance Council and others vs State of Andhra Pradesh and others — in which the petitioner has sought directions to impound all motor vehicles in their respective states, union territories or jurisdictions which were found to be plying without the mandatory insurance and prosecute owners of such vehicles.