New Delhi, January 6: The Centre on Monday gave a stern warning to state governments against altering penalties for traffic violations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019. The Central government in an advisory asked the states that it would invoke Article 256 if they do not fall in line with the law enacted by Parliament last year. The advisory was issued after the Gujarat government announced to reduce penalties for traffic violations. Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019: Rs 1,41,700 Challan Issued to Truck Owner for Overloading, Highest Ever Under New MV Act.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Gujarat, was the first state which said that it would not implement the MV Act. The transport ministry sent a letter to all the states. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the ministry’s letter was based on the opinion of Attorney General KC Venugopal that clarified that states could not amend any provision of a law passed by Parliament unless the state gets the President to sign off on the changes. Here's List of Stringent Rules And Penalties For Violating Norms Under New MV Act.

“The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2O19) is a Parliamentary legislation, the state Governments cannot pass any law/ take executive action to lower the penalty fine below that prescribed under the statutory provisions of the Motor vehicles Act, unless the assent of the President is obtained to such state law,” reported the media house quoting excerpts from the letter.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 was implemented September 1. The penalties for violating the traffic rules were increased manifold, ranging from 100 percent to 1000 percent. Till now, many states have not enforced new penalties.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 06, 2020 11:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).