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| Directives for registration of BS IV vehicles may trigger chaos at RTO Jammu | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 22: While the countrywide lockdown in view of COVID19 remains till May 3, the fresh advisory reportedly issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways asking Transport Departments to start registration of BS IV vehicles, have triggered chaos as the staff is in limbo apprehending rush of visitors amidst pandemic threat looming large.
As per sources in the Regional Transport Office Jammu, the employees have been directed to start attending the office in compliance with the directions issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highway seeking registration of BS IV vehicles by April 30.
Pertinent to mention here that earlier the Supreme Court on March 27 relaxed the March 31 deadline for winding up sales and registrations of BS IV emission norm-compliant vehicles amid the countrywide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.
An apex court bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Deepak Gupta allowed sale of 10 percent of the unsold stock of BS IV vehicles within 10 days of the end of the lockdown, except in Delhi and the National Capital Region.
The bench also held that BS IV vehicles bought have to be registered within 10 days of sale but those bought before March 31 can be registered later.
The top court passed the order while hearing the plea filed by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) which had sought a two-month extension of the 31 March-deadline for sale and registration of such vehicles.
Fada had filed an interlocutory application with the apex court last week seeking relief as Covid-19 pandemic has hit auto dealers hard, already battling a prolonged liquidity crisis.
The unsold inventory is worth over Rs 7,000 crore, Fada has said.
The top court had earlier mandated that only BS-VI emission norms-compliant vehicles will be allowed for sale and registration, beginning 1 April.
“Corona Virus threat is looming large across in parts of the country and lockdown directions announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exists till May 3 and such a situation, how to start registration process of BS IV vehicles,” sources here told .
They said, “firstly movement passes are must to visit any of the destinations during ongoing lockdown even including for those associated into essential services and in such a situation, how the staff will reach to office.”
“Secondly, whose registration of vehicles is due, may visit to the RTO office sensing no rush due to lockdown but ultimately it may lead to chaos,” sources added.
They further said that the staff have been told to attend office on rotational basis and at the same time general public will also assemble at the venue and there are hardly any precautionary measures put in place.
“Social distancing is the only medicine to curb this pandemic and if there are less or no cases reported in many parts of Jammu is only because of timely measures taken by the administration, then it doesn’t means the norms are thrown to wind,” sources said and appealed that instead of making it mandatory, the Ministry should extend the date of registration of BS IV vehicles till the COVID-19 fear fades way to prevent its further spread and to avoid unwanted mess.
“There are reports as well that the J&K Transport Commissioner has urged the Union Ministry to exempt private vehicles from obtaining fitness certificate as of now but it could be troublesome in case the said vehicle meets an accident or stolen,” they said and added that on the other hand it is mandatory for the commercial vehicles to have the document but when lockdown exists, how these vehicles will reach to the RTO Jammu and in case, they manage, it will create mess in such a volatile situation.
“One should understand the sensitivity of the prevailing situation as it is not advisable at this moment to issue such an order when the nation is under a grave threat of COVID19 threat,” said an official pleading anonymity.
Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on April 20, has advised NIC to facilitate the States /UTs in limited registration of BS-IV vehicles all over India except Delhi/NCR in compliance with Supreme Court directions contained in its order dated March 27.
The Apex Court has however maintained the stay on sale and registration of such vehicles in Delhi NCR. As per orders of apex Court dated 24.10.2018, no BS-IV vehicle is to be sold or registered with effect from 1.4.2020.
Registration of only BS-VI vehicles is permitted throughout India. In its advisory, which is also marked to all States/UTs, the Ministry has stressed upon meticulous compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court. |
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