Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 23: A new order of the State Transport Department has triggered fresh controversy as the car and other vehicles’ dealers across the State have alleged that with this `controversial order’, the launch of many new vehicles/models has been delayed.
By this order No. 149-TC of 2015, dated 08-07-2015, it will be mandatory for all the manufacturers/ vehicle dealers to provide requisite certificate from the testing agencies like ARAI Pune, ICAT Ahmednagar and approved AutoCad / Schematic Drawings together with appropriate amount of fee prescribed under SRO 64 dated 13-02-2012. Before introducing the new vehicle/ model concerned manufacturer shall get them inspected and tested by the committee of officers from Jammu, Doda, Srinagar and Leh- Ladakh. ARTOs concerned, DGM SRTC Jammu/ Srinagar, Dy Director State Motor Garages and AEE Mech Division concerned, besides representatives from State Motor Garages Leh/ Doda sub-regions, will be the members for each Sub-Regional Committee. ARTOs will be nodal officers of the committee.
These committees will examine all aspects of new type of vehicles from mechanical/ technical point of view taking the base model in respect of each category inspected/ tested to make suitable and reasonable recommendations to the State level Empowered Committee headed by Transport Commissioner, regarding technical specifications, security features, road worthiness, climatic conditions, and any other aspects necessary to consider to the Transport Commissioner J&K within a period of 15 days. Then State level Empowered Committee will issue the final certificate.
Earlier, only State level Empowered Committee headed by Transport Commissioner, J&K used to issue the necessary certificate before the introduction/ launch of new model of the vehicle in the State. The other members of the Empowered Committee are- IG Traffic J&K, Director General State Motor Garages, Managing Director JK SRTC, Chief Engineer Mechanical Jammu/ Kashmir, a representative from Administrative Department of Transport, RTO Jammu/ Srinagar and Deputy Transport Commissioner- as member secretary.
It was conveyed through this order that no vehicles/ models shall be sold/ launched in J&K by the trade certificate holders till these formalities are performed. This has created resentment among the dealers across the State, who alleged that all the vehicles have been issued certificates by the Central authority, Automative Research Association of India (ARAI) of India, after taking care of all the aspects related to safety/ security, testing pollution level etc. They expressed their apprehension that this order will certainly give rise to corruption and also cause delay in the launch/ introduction of new models. The launch of many new models of cars has been delayed in the State with this new order.
One of dealers of Maruti Suzuki vehicles in Kashmir, on the condition of without being quoted told the Excelsior that all the manufacturers all over India, procure certificate from ARAI and in J&K already State level Committee issuing certificates but now four sub-committees have been framed. It means vehicle has to be tested in the area like Doda-Kishtwar and Ladakh before being finally launched for the customers. If they want to do it, they should go for commercial vehicles and at least exempt the private vehicles/ cars. Moreover, people from the concerned regions decide about the type of vehicle and model as per their suitability before purchasing the same.
He further disclosed that a deputation of dealers, assisted by presidents of both Jammu and Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industry had met the Transport Commissioner J&K, Parvez Iqbal Khateeb and had requested to either withdraw this order and allow the old system of one committee or exempt the private vehicles from the ambit of new order. He has assured to take up the matter with higher authorities.
Transport Commissioner when contacted said that about two months back the State level Empowered Committee headed by him decided to frame sub-committees in the general interest of the people of this State. He said topography of J&K State is quite different. It is mostly hilly and only a few districts are plain. It was decided that apart from plains of Jammu and Srinagar, the new vehicles/ models will also be tested/ examined whether they are suitable for the conditions in Doda-Kishtwar and Ladakh area. It was also discussed that availability of service centers of all those auto companies should be there in all the sub regions of the State before issuing such certificate. However, this has not now included in this order.
Mr Khateeb while dismissing the apprehensions of rise in corruption with this order, maintained that there is no harm for the company to send a vehicle for test in Ladakh or Doda. After the sub-committee will forward certificate, his office would issue final certificate after approval by the Empowered Committee. He admitted that a delegation of dealers and CCI members had met him in the recent past and had pleaded to exempt private vehicles/ cars from the purview of this order. He has forwarded their representation to the higher authorities. The matter has also been discussed with the Transport Minister Abdul Ghani Kohli and the request for exemption of private cars was under active consideration of the higher authorities, Mr Khateeb added.
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