<p> The Madras High Court today observed that there was nothing wrong in people carrying their original licence while riding or driving vehicles after some petitioners opposed a government order in this regard.<br /><br />The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, directed social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy, who raied the issue, to file a petition which would be heard in normal course.<br /><br />The matter relates to the announcement by State Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar that all vehicle drivers should carry their original driving licences with them from September 1 onwards, failing which they would be fined.<br /><br />Ramaswamy had made a mention yesterday before another Division Bench as there was no sitting of the First Bench.<br /><br />This morning, immediately after the court resumed, he mentioned before the First Bench the Government Order on the need for drivers to carry the original licence.<br /><br />The bench after asking what was wrong in carrying the original licence, directed Ramaswamy to file a petition which would be taken up for hearing.<br /><br />Meanwhile, another PIL was filed by K Aswin, state coordinator of Justice for Denials Association, seeking a direction to the Transport Secretary not to insist that drivers carry their original licence as it would cause inconvenience to the general public.<br /><br />He submitted that "the Motor Vehicle Act says that the rider must possess licence, but does not say anything about the original licence."<br /><br />Alleging that the reason for direction to motorists to carry original licence was silly and unacceptable, he said it had no role in reducing road accidents.<br /><br />He submitted that if an individual lost his/her original licence, it would be very difficult to procure a new one as several procedures were involved.<br /><br />The petitioner contended that the announcement by the Minister would definitely force or lead to bribing of the authorities.<br /><br />He also stated that Section 28 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act gave powers to the state to make rules, but not supersede the central act.<br /><br />The petitioner said the association had already sent representations twice to the authorities requesting not to implement the announcement. As there was no reply, he filed the PIL.</p>.<p>The court posted the petitions opposing the government order to a further date.</p>
<p> The Madras High Court today observed that there was nothing wrong in people carrying their original licence while riding or driving vehicles after some petitioners opposed a government order in this regard.<br /><br />The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, directed social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy, who raied the issue, to file a petition which would be heard in normal course.<br /><br />The matter relates to the announcement by State Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar that all vehicle drivers should carry their original driving licences with them from September 1 onwards, failing which they would be fined.<br /><br />Ramaswamy had made a mention yesterday before another Division Bench as there was no sitting of the First Bench.<br /><br />This morning, immediately after the court resumed, he mentioned before the First Bench the Government Order on the need for drivers to carry the original licence.<br /><br />The bench after asking what was wrong in carrying the original licence, directed Ramaswamy to file a petition which would be taken up for hearing.<br /><br />Meanwhile, another PIL was filed by K Aswin, state coordinator of Justice for Denials Association, seeking a direction to the Transport Secretary not to insist that drivers carry their original licence as it would cause inconvenience to the general public.<br /><br />He submitted that "the Motor Vehicle Act says that the rider must possess licence, but does not say anything about the original licence."<br /><br />Alleging that the reason for direction to motorists to carry original licence was silly and unacceptable, he said it had no role in reducing road accidents.<br /><br />He submitted that if an individual lost his/her original licence, it would be very difficult to procure a new one as several procedures were involved.<br /><br />The petitioner contended that the announcement by the Minister would definitely force or lead to bribing of the authorities.<br /><br />He also stated that Section 28 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act gave powers to the state to make rules, but not supersede the central act.<br /><br />The petitioner said the association had already sent representations twice to the authorities requesting not to implement the announcement. As there was no reply, he filed the PIL.</p>.<p>The court posted the petitions opposing the government order to a further date.</p>