Onus of vehicle registration on them, auto dealers move HC

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court on Thursday issued a notice to the commissioner of transport over the circular mandating automobile dealers to get vehicles registered. On Thursday, the transport department implemented its circular entrusting auto dealers with the task of registering the vehicles they sell and ensuring installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), without which the vehicles cannot ply on roads. In all, 36 auto dealers knocked on the HC’s doors against the circular and their advocate Nirupam Nanavati submitted that the circular is ex-facie arbitrary because it requires dealers to register motor vehicles, which otherwise is a statutory function to be performed by the regional transport offices. Upon the court’s query regarding objection on part of the dealers, the senior counsel submitted that the dealers would not get any remuneration for the process. Moreover, they don’t have skilled personnel to fulfil this task and any mistake at their end will entail consequences. The petitioners pointed out the provisions of section 2(37) of the Motor Vehicles Act which envisages a registering authority for this purpose. This is a function of the transport department. The government has the power to delegate this function to any public servant or public authority. It was contended that authorization of vehicle registration has to be delegated by a circular of transport commissioner and not by an amendment in the law. On the petition claiming violation of sections 41, 48(1) and 215A of the MV Act by the circular, Justice V D Nanavati issued notice to the commissioner of transport asking for a reply by next hearing on the subject, which has been posted on September 21. The petitioner’s counsel requested the court to hear him on the issue of granting interim relief for staying the circular on the next date of hearing.

Auto dealers seek reduction of GST on entry-level two-wheelers

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has requested a reduction in GST rates for entry-level two-wheelers in India. FADA president Manish Raj Singhania stated that while overall vehicle sales have increased by 7%, the entry-level two-wheeler segment is still struggling to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. FADA is urging the government to lower the GST rate from 28% to 18% for two-wheelers in the 100cc and 125cc category, as this segment accounts for 75% of total auto sales volume.

Circular asking students to speak against Sanatana kicks up row

A circular issued by the principal of Thiru Vi Ka Government Arts and Science College in Tiruvarur, asking students to speak against Sanatana Dharma at a seminar, has caused controversy. The circular was based on a request from a local MLA, but after protests from BJP district functionaries, the principal issued another circular clarifying that students have the right to participate in events and express their views. The initial circular's wording was misleading, leading to the confusion.

Can law be tweaked for light transport vehicle DL, asks SC

The Supreme Court has asked the Indian government to consider amending the law to require a separate license for driving a light transport vehicle. Currently, a person with a license to drive a light motor vehicle can also drive a light transport vehicle. The court expressed concerns that changing this policy would negatively impact the livelihoods of many people. The court suggested that the issue should be addressed through the legislative route to balance the interests of drivers, insurance companies, and road safety concerns. The government has been given two months to present their views on the matter.