Gandhinagar; In a relief of sorts to vehicle owners in Gujarat, the state government today decided to suspend the implementation of new rules under Motor Vehicles Amendment Act with stiffer fines till October 15.

Transport Minister of the state R C Faldu today informed the media persons about this decision taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by CM Vijay Rupani who had earlier implemented it from September 16.Faldu said that in the wake of various difficulties being faced by vehicle owners especially in getting the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, the decision has been taken. He said that new 900 PUC centers across the state would be opened.

Faldu also informed that till October 15 the rule breakers would be fined as per the old penalty rates. He also made it clear that those fined under the new rules so far would not get any refund.

‘Concerns have been expressed regarding helmet and PUC availability. A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rupani today decided to waive off the new act implementation pertaining to PUC for additional 15 days in view of the representations received regarding long queues and rush at PUC centres and related wastage of time. The government has also decided to start procedure for opening of 900 more PUC centres for which tender process will be completed in next 10 days,’ Faldu said.

‘A decision has also been taken to give another 15 days for implementation of new act in connection with helmet rule. The cabinet has also taken a decision to make it mandatory for automobile dealers to give free helmet to customers with delivery of new two-wheeler vehicle. The helmet will need to be ISI marked. An order in this regard will be issued later today,’ he further said.

Notably the Union government has implemented the act since September 1 with the authority to the states to implement it.

DeshGujarat