Maharashtra Implements Amended MV Act; Hikes Compounding Fees for Traffic Offences
The Maharashtra government has hiked the compounding fees for traffic offenses by issuing a notification about the implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, an official from the state Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) said. The state government recently issued a notification about the implementation of the 2019 Act in the state and the new compounding fees for various offenses came into effect on December 1.
Talking to PTI, state transport commissioner Avinash Dhakane said the hike in compounding fees will help bring down accidents and ensure discipline among the citizens. “This will help improve overall road safety, reduce fatalities and ensure better road discipline among people,” Dhakane said.
Maharashtra Implements Amended MV Act – The state government has reduced the compounding fees
According to an MMVD official, the state government has reduced the compounding fees in case of several offenses compared to the fines and penalties defined in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on September 1, 2019. However, at the time the Maharashtra government was not in favor of penalizing traffic rule violators with hefty fines as per the amended Act.
As per the notification, the copy of which is in possession of PTI, the compounding fees are in the range of Rs 200 to Rs 1 lakh for various offenses. For instance, offenders will have to pay Rs 1,000 compounding fees for displaying registration plates (number plates) other than in prescribed forms, for driving vehicles without reflectors and tail lamps. Apart from the above offenses under section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the compounding fees have been hiked to Rs 500 if the offense has been committed for the first time and Rs 1,500 for the second offense, and thereafter, the notification stated.