State steps up action on sunfilm ban after SC censure

The disappointment expressed by the Supreme Court over the failure of the Central and state governments in implementing its order banning the use of sunfilms in motor vehicles seems to have stirred the State government into action.

The Apex Court said there was minimal implementation of its April 27 order prohibiting the use of tint on the glass windows of vehicles beyond permissible limit prescribed by the Motor Vehicles Act.

The court said the middle class was being victimised while implementing the ban and the VIPs still had black films on their cars and were causing accidents. The court noted that VIPs permitted to use tinted films on their vehicles after following due procedure were exploiting the relaxation.

Principal Secretary to the Department of Transport, P B Ramamurthy, sent a circular recently to all government departments to implement the SC verdict and remove the films from department vehicles, including those of VIPs.

Ramamurthy said in the circular that the SC order had only exempted vehicles of VIPs having ‘Z’ and ‘Z-plus’ security cover.

 “Officials have been asked to comply with the apex court verdict immediately,” said Transport Department Joint Commissioner (Bangalore Urban and Rural) H G Kumar. Only the chief minister, deputy chief minister, home minister and a few others enjoy the ‘Z’ or ‘Z-plus’ security in the State.

Senior officials in the Department of Transport said very soon, they would launch a drive against vehicles of VIPs and ensure that the verdict on tinted glasses was implemented. “With the government giving the go ahead, we will ensure that the films are removed from the vehicles of all ministers, principal secretaries and under secretaries,” said an official on condition of anonymity.  

On the implementation of the SC verdict in the case of vehicles of the public, Kumar said the department had booked around 700 cases so far and the drive was an ongoing process.

“We have collected a total fine of Rs 70,000 from violators so far. We are also denying fitness certificates to vehicles from which the black films are yet to be removed. The special drive for the removal of films from cabs plying passengers to and from the airport has been a success,” he said.

As per the rules under the Motor Vehicle Act, the tint limit for front and rear windscreens is 70 per cent and for side glasses, it is 40 per cent. The permissible limit should be built in during the manufacture of the vehicles and pasting of black films is strictly prohibited.