New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that state governments have no authority to frame guidelines regarding vehicle modifications. The Minister added that strict central laws are currently in place regarding the matter. He was replying to a query raised by MP V. Sivadasan.
The Central Government is repeatedly informing states that strict rules apply to vehicle alterations. The Minister stated that setting norms for vehicle modification falls solely within the purview of the Central Government, and states have no authority over it. However, state governments or authorities empowered by them have the right to fix speed limits in the interest of public safety.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1989, no changes should be made to the fundamental specifications provided by vehicle manufacturers in the Registration Certificate (RC). The Minister informed that prior approval from the registering authority is mandatory before making modifications, and an application must be submitted within 14 days of alterations to record them in the RC.
Relaxing rules related to vehicle modifications was one of the key promises in the V. D. Satheesan government’s election manifesto. After assuming office, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan announced that safe modifications would be considered except for hazardous alterations, and had granted certain relaxations in the first phase. Following this, CPM MP V. Sivadasan raised the question in the Rajya Sabha on whether state governments possess the power to alter vehicle modification laws.
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