Government approves Motor Vehicles Act amendment bill

NEW DELHI: The government is believed to have approved a bill, proposing amendments to the existing Motor Vehicles Act, to replace an Ordinance brought out last year for enabling plying of e-rickshaws in the National Capital.

According to sources, the Cabinet this evening approved Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed by Lok Sabha on December 18, 2014 and was introduced in Rajya Sabha on December 22, 2014 for consideration and passing. The Bill, however, could not be taken up for discussion in the Upper House.

The Cabinet on December 24 approved promulgation of the Ordinance to pave the way for plying of e-rickshaws.

E-rickshaws, or battery--operated three-wheeler vehicles, had gone off roads after Delhi High Court banned their plying in July on safety concerns.

The new Act will be in sync with practices in six advanced nations - the US, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The new law will provide a corruption free and transparent system with a proper record of driving licences. Data would be utilised in e-governance.