In order to control pollution and promote circular economy, the Union Ministry of Road Transport has issued a notification of amendment in the Motor Vehicle Act, according to which the registration of all government vehicles older than 15 years will be compulsorily cancelled. Vehicles whose registration has been renewed (beyond 15 years) will also automatically be considered cancelled. All such old vehicles will have to be disposed of at a registered scrap centre.
Vehicles of Central Government, Vehicles of State Governments, Vehicles of Union Territories, Vehicles of Corporations, Vehicles of State Transport, Vehicles of PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) and Government Autonomous Institutions all vehicles older than 15 years will have to be scrapped. However, army vehicles are not included in this. This new order will be applicable from April 1, 2023.
Significantly, in November last year, the Ministry of Road Transport had issued a draft, in which it was said that all 15-year-old vehicles of the Central and State Governments would have to be scrapped. It was said to apply this rule to the buses and vehicles of the Corporations and the Transport Department as well. Then the government had sought suggestions and objections on the draft in 30 days. Now the government is going to implement this rule.
In November last, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that government vehicles that are more than 15 years old will be converted into junk. The policy related to this has been sent to the states. He had said, 'Signed a file under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under which all vehicles of the Government of India that are more than 15 years old will be turned into junk. I have also sent this policy to all the states, they should also adopt it.
