Dehradun district magistrate Dr BVRC Purushottam has informed that according to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, displaying anything apart from the registration number of the number plates of vehicles was a punishable offence.
He further said that there was no provision for using a name-plate on any non-Governmental or rented vehicle. However, it had been learned that many name plates and logo of the State Government were being used illegally on various non-Governmental private vehicles, taxis and rented vehicles. Besides, officers and other personnel in Government offices were also displaying ‘Government of India’, Uttarakhand Government’ or the names of Government offices on their private
vehicles which was a misuse of the rights accorded to public servants.
Such misuse of name plates or Government symbols was not only against the rules but also increased the possibility of administrative disorder, misuse of such vehicles and raises security concerns, he observed.
The district magistrate directed the senior superintendent of police to instruct his subordinate officers so that the orders of the administration are strictly implemented. The police should ensure that any government officer or employee does not display government logos or names of department or office on his or her private vehicle.
Any person found doing so will be considered guilty of misusing the rights of public servants and action will be taken against such public
servants under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 section 177, stressed Purushottam.