Northeast Desk, 19th June: In a significant move aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and safety standards, the Government of Sikkim has issued a notification restricting the lifespan of government vehicles to 15 years from their year of manufacture or initial registration.
This directive, mandated by the Motor Vehicles Division of the Transport Department, is expected to lead to the scrapping of approximately 632 vehicles across various government sectors. The decision aligns with amendments outlined in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways’ Gazette, including GSR 653(E) dated 23 September 2021 and GSR 845(E) dated 24 November 2022, which prohibit transactions involving government vehicles beyond the stipulated age limit.
Affected vehicles encompass those under the purview of central and state governments, local government bodies like Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, or Panchayats, State Transport Undertakings, Public Sector Undertakings, and autonomous bodies associated with both central and state administrations.
The notification mandates all concerned departments to initiate the scrapping process by submitting requisite documentation through their respective Head of Department to the Transport Department. Compliance with these guidelines is crucial, as failure to adhere may result in penalties under sections 179, 190, and 192 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (2019).
Effective immediately upon publication, this order underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing its vehicle fleet and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards for public safety.
Earlier this month, the state government also implemented restrictions on luxury vehicles (Z-Series) permits, limiting their lifespan to 12 years with non-renewable permits beyond this duration. An AI-based e-challan system, scheduled for launch on 01.07.2024, will monitor compliance with these regulations, imposing penalties via automatic e-challans for violations. Owners of luxury taxi vehicles exceeding the 12-year limit are advised to promptly convert their vehicles to the private category series to avoid legal complications and penalties.
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