Auto dealers across the country will carry out the registration process at their own end on the purchase of a vehicle with the role of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to be cut down. While there will be an automated challan issuance process for traffic rules offenders, two drivers might need to alternatively take the wheel on longer routes.
These are some of the provisions that could see their way through the proposed Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2017, at present under the scrutiny of the Rajya Sabha Select Committee. The Centre plans to table the much delayed Bill in the coming winter session of the Parliament.
Traffic violators will be issued automated challan with high quality cameras on the roads reporting it to control room computers, according to the provisions of the Bill. "The automated challan and fines which may be high would drastically cut down traffic-related corruption on the roads as also lawlessness," sources said.
Besides, vehicle dealers across the country would have the "discretion" to issue registration certificates rather than the RTOs.
The Motor Vehicles Bill, which aims to usher in far-reaching reforms in the transport sector, is being vetted by a 24-member Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha with RS member and senior BJP vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe at its head.
Sources said Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari held a suo moto meeting of the select committee on November 2 to develop better understanding of the issues pertaining to the proposed Bill.
There were some apprehensions that the provisions in the Bill may lead to the infringement of the rights of the States and cut down their rights. Some States have sought making "concurrence" must if Centre intervenes according to the provisions of the proposed Motor Vehicle legislation but the committee was of the view that it was always not possible to do so. States would, however, be "consulted" before the Centre steps in a particular case.
Sources said central intervention would be helpful in the cases like creating "last-mile transport connectivity" between two border States.
The committee also discussed the regulation of long duty hours for drivers with some members seeking two drivers to alternately steer a vehicle on a long route.
There would be one more meeting of the committee before the bill makes it way to the Parliament for passage in its coming session. Once the bill is enacted it would enlarge the employment opportunities in the transport sector, the sources pointed out.