LUCKNOW Autos with ‘caste and faith’ stickers on the windshield, bumper and different elements proceed to be on a roll in Lucknow regardless of the Motor Autos Act (MVA) prohibiting such show anyplace on a automobile, together with the registration plate.
As per RTO information, solely 41 automobiles had been challaned for such stickers in the previous one yr underneath Part 177 of the Motor Autos Act, mentioned Amit Ranjan Rai, assistant regional transport officer (enforcement). The utmost challan quantity was ₹500, he knowledgeable.
“Inform us your requirement and stickers of your selection might be prepared in 5 minutes,” mentioned a shopkeeper at Lalbagh – the car spare elements hub in town. The value of those stickers ranges between ₹30 and ₹500, relying on the dimensions and color, he added.
“Other than caste-based stickers, cut-outs of deities are additionally trending,” mentioned one other shopkeeper. Such stickers have been up on the market in varied vehicle markets in the state capital regardless of chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s latest directive for a crackdown on automobiles displaying ‘casteist stickers’.
Although site visitors authorities felt that such practices have been extra prevalent in western UP districts, a actuality test revealed that Lucknow additionally had fairly just a few automobiles with stickers displaying caste/faith.
Regardless of prohibition on such stickers, the regulation appeared poorly carried out on the ground.
“Such practices are extra prevalent in western UP districts. Drives in opposition to such automobiles are carried out in Lucknow on occasion,” mentioned Upendra Kumar Agarwal, JCP (regulation and order).
Prashant Kumar, particular DG (regulation & order), UP, mentioned officers throughout the state had been requested to run drives and take action in opposition to automobiles with such stickers.
“Throughout a automobile checking drive, we impose fines on those that flout guidelines. When a automobile is challaned over caste-based stickers, a penalty of ₹500 is imposed underneath Part 177 of the Motor Autos Act,” mentioned Ashish Srivastava, DCP (site visitors) Lucknow.
WHAT RULES SAY
“Besides the quantity, nothing else is allowed on the registration plate or anyplace else on the physique of the automobile. Rule 50 of the Central Motor Automobile Guidelines gives the shape and method and rule 51 the dimensions of numeral of registration mark. Nothing else could be exhibited on a automobile. The Allahabad excessive court docket has additionally clarified this place in an order,” mentioned VK Sonakiya, further transport commissioner (enforcement).
Beneath the Motor Autos Act, no sticker/message or anything may very well be written or pasted anyplace on a automotive or two-wheeler, together with the registration plate, mentioned GS Chauhan, advocate, Lucknow excessive court docket