Transport department notifies Section 177A as compoundable offence

DIMAPUR — The Transport department has notified an amendment to Section 177A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.

According to a DIPR report, the offences under Section 177A were not included in the compoundable offences under Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, prior to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.

It stated that under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, Section 177A is made a compoundable offence by amending Section 200 of the MV Act 1988.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had, vide a notification dated January 13, 2025, set the date on which the enactment was to come into force.

Also read: Konyak Union Mon Unit inspects Medical College, road construction

The department, therefore, notified that in the interest of public safety, Section 177A shall be rendered as a compoundable offence under Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and all the officers empowered by the state government vide notification dated November 12, 2020, for compounding offences for violations under Section 117A.

Thirty days to renew or cancel old vehicle registrations.

In another update, the Transport department has informed all vehicle owners that under Sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 55 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if a motor vehicle has been destroyed or has been rendered permanently incapable of use, the owner is required to report the fact to the registering authority within 14 days or as soon as may be and get the registration certificate cancelled.

Sub-section (3) of Section 55 provides that if the registering authority is satisfied that the vehicle is in such a condition that it is incapable of being used or its use in public places would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair, it may cancel the registration after giving the vehicle owners an opportunity for making any representation.

The department observed from vehicle data available on the VAHAN Application that vehicle owners are not coming forward to report such matters. It stated that this inaction is leading to complications such as arrears in the collection of tax, non-compliance with provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act like plying of unregistered/non-renewed vehicles, and plying of unfit vehicles.

The department has given all vehicle owners who have not renewed their certificate of registration for 5 years or more a time of 30 days from the date of issue of the Office Memorandum to get the certificate of registration renewed or cancelled.

Failing this, the registering authorities shall process for cancellation as stipulated under Section 55 (3) of the Act, presuming that the vehicle is incapable of being used or its use in public places would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair.