By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 21, 2019: Odisha Human Rights Commission has slammed Odisha government for three months relaxation in implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act saying that what would be the stand of the state in case of a road accident by illegally driven vehicles during the period of relaxation.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on September 9, had asked the transport department and police officials to “not aggressively go on an overdrive but rather counsel and handhold the public to facilitate compliance with the amended provisions of MV Act”.

Patnaik’s observation followed the public resentment over strict enforcement of the provisions of the amended MV Act. He then ordered to give a three months’ breather to motorists so as to enable them get all their vehicle documents ready.

OHRC said the liberty granted by the government is being misutilised as a licence by habitual law breakers creating a free for all situation on the road endangering the life and property of law abiding citizens, drivers and pedestrians. The human rights body observed this while responding to a petition by advocate Shivshankar Mohanty over the death of a college student in Cuttack last week.

“The trend seems to have increased during the period of relaxation,” the commission said insisting that its suo motu intervention in the matter is for the purpose of giving out certain recommendations to the government. OHRC chairperson BK Das and member secretary Asim Amitabh Das in its order said some people are bent upon not to abide by law and are obstructing officials from discharging the duties.

The Commission sought the Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic), Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissioner and Regional Transport Officers whether persons to explain whether persons having no driving licence/insurance can be allowed to drive vehicles during this three months’ period granted by the government to obtain/rectify the legal documents.

“If a vehicle driven by a person without driving licence causes any road accident then what would be the legal consequence? Will the insurance company be liable? If not, who will pay the compensation to the claimant?” the commission quipped.

It also asked the state government whether overloaded auto rickshaws are being periodically checked and hauled up in case of violation of conditions of the registration and traffic rules.