The Gazetteers Department

THE MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT deals with the administration of the Motor Vehicles Tax and the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act (Act XV of 1956) and the Bombay Motor Vehicles Tax Act LXV of 1958. Under the first Act, all motor vehicles have to be registered; all drivers have to take out a licence, which is given only on their passing, a prescribed test of competence; the hours of work of drivers of public vehicles are restricted; and third party insurance of all vehicles plying in public places has to be effected. It gives power to State Governments to subject vehicles to be licensed for public hire, specifying their routes and also the freight rate. Fees are leviable for registration and issue of licences and permits.

State Transport Authority.

There is a State Transport Authority for each State which co-ordinates the activities of the Regional Transport Authorities under it. The Regional Transport Authority controls the motor transport in the region and deals with the issue of permits to different categories of transport vehicles according to the policy laid down by the State Transport Authority and the State Government from time to time. It also performs such duties as grant of authorisations to drive public service vehicles and conductors' licences, taking departmental action against those permit-holders who contravene any condition of the permit, etc., and prescribing policy in certain important matters relating to motor transport in the region.

Regional Transport Authority.

The Regional Transport Authority for the Thana Region with its headquarters at Thana, has jurisdiction over the Ratnagiri district and also over the districts of Thana, Kolaba, Nasik, Dhulia and Jalgaon. It consists of 12 members, including the Secretary, the other members, the official and eight non-official, being nominated by the State Government under sub-section (1) of section 44 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Other Staff.

The immediate subordinates to the Regional Transport Officer is the Regional Supervisor. He assists the Regional Transport Officer in executing his duties and looks after the office administration. Whenever the Regional Transport Officer is out of the headquarters, the Regional Supervisor acts for him. He supervises the work of Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors.

There are two Assistant Regional Transport Officers, six Motor Vehicles Inspectors and nine Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspectors working under the Regional Transport Officer, The Inspectors carry out the work of registration, inspection of motor vehicles, testing of drivers and conductors, checking of motor vehicles and detecting of offences under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Assistant Inspectors carry out the office routine work, assist the Inspectors in carrying out inspections of vehicles and also do the work of the Inspectors when the latter are on tour or on special duty.

Liaison with Police Department.

The Department has liaison with the Police Department. The Police Department carries out periodical checks or motor vehicles and detects offences under the Act. It also attends to reference from the Motor Vehicles Department regarding verification of character of applicants for public service vehicle authorisations, conductors' licences, taxi cab permits, etc. It also helps in the verification of non-use of vehicles and recoveries of arrears of taxes and in specifying particular places for bus stops, etc. The District Magistrate comes into relation with this department in connection with imposition of restrictions on road transport, fixation of speed limits, and location of motor stands at various places, etc.

Bombay Motor Vehicles Tax Act.

Under the Bombay Motor Vehicles Tax Act, taxes are levied on all motor vehicles, except those designated and used solely for carrying out agricultural operations on farms and farm lands. The taxes are based on the type of vehicles (e.g., motor cycles and cycles, goods vehicles, passenger vehicles, etc.), and their laden or unladen weight. The Act has removed all municipal and State tolls on motor vehicles. The rules made under this Act lay down that when a vehicle is to be registered within the State, the registering authority (i.e., the Regional Transport Officer), shall verify the particulars furnished in the application for registration (e.g., the make of the vehicle, its capacity, etc.), and determine the rate of the tax for which the vehicle is liable. Every registered owner who wants to use or keep for use any vehicle in the State, has to pay the tax determined, stating the limits within which he intends to use the vehicle, i.e., whether only within the limits of a particular municipality or cantonment or throughout the State. A token for the payment of the tax will be issued by the registering authority and this has to be attached to and carried on the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is in use in a public place. A fresh declaration has to be made annually or every time the tax has to be paid (i.e., quarterly, half-yearly or annually). The registering authority before issuing token in respect of the payment of the tax has to satisfy itself that every declaration is complete in all respects and the proper amount of tax has been paid.

With a view to facilitate the convenience of the travelling public and for the smooth administration of the Department an office has been established at Ratnagiri from 22nd March 1948, with a Motor Vehicles Inspector.

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