Addressing a press meet on Wednesday, he refuted District Vehicle Owners and Drivers Association’s allegation that transport department officials and police are harassing them while transporting labourers and students. “I have only tried my level best to implement Motor Vehicle Act in Kodagu. To implement Motor Vehicle Act in the district, all the rented taxis should convert their number plate to yellow colour. Whether asking vehicle owners to follow the rules and regulation is harassment,” he questioned.

If police are harassing private vehicle owners, for reasons other than changing number plates, then let them file a complaint with me. I will initiate action against the officials concerned. I do not want to take away their livelihood. The taxes of the vehicle owners are being paid to the government and not to the police pocket, he added.

The SP said those taxi owners who fail to convert the name plate to yellow colour will have to pay Rs 720 fine once in three months.

As per Motor Vehicle Act, the transportation of passengers in taxis with white colour name board is illegal. In case of accidents, they will not get any insurance. Who will have to provide compensation to the poor who will be killed or injured in the accident, he sought to know.

Violation

Jeeps can not transport more than 5 persons. For violating the rules, 22 vehicles have paid a fine of Rs 5,000 in the court.

The RTO has clarified that to drive a taxi, one should have passed 8th standard. We will not extend the time for changing the number plate colour. Even if we give six more months, the vehicle owners will not change the colour.

He said only in Kodagu, Motor Vehicle Act is not being implemented. IGP (Southern range) has issued notices to SPs of Kodagu, Mysore, Hassan, Mandya and Chamarajanagara to implement the Act, he informed.