Pranab Mukherjee questions motive behind ordinance to amend Motor Vehicles Act

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee has asked the government to explain the urgency of issuing an ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicles Act. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who had been summoned to explain why the ordinance had to be issued, gave a detailed presentation to the President on the changes being made to the law to include e-rickshaws and e-carts as motor vehicles.“The meeting was very positive and the President understood the reason for the urgency,” a senior official privy to the development told ET.

Gadkari also explained to Mukherjee why the bill amending the act could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha, the official said. Earlier, Mukherjee had sought an explanation from the Narendra Modi government over the urgency of the ordinance on land acquisition reforms before signing it.

The Cabinet had approved the ordinance to regularise e-rickshaws on December 24, after the bill could not be passed in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament. As per the ordinance, e-rickshaws will be allowed to carry four passengers and not more than 40 kg of luggage. The power of its motor cannot exceed 2,000 watts and its speed limit has been set at 25 kmph. E-rickshaws and e-carts will be required to follow all the requirements of displaying the registration mark, size of letters and numerals, transfer of ownership and validity of certificate and fitness.

The Delhi High Court had banned e-rickshaws on July 31 after a public interest litigation was filed against these vehicles.