News Brief
Traffic in an Indian city.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has extended the validity of vehicular documents like DLs, RCs, Permits etc till 31 March 2021 in the light of the need to prevent the spread of Covid -19.
The Ministry has issued a directive to the States and Union Territory administrations in this regard.
MoRTH had earlier issued advisories dated 30 March 2020, 9 June 2020 and 24 August 2020 regarding extension of validity of documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
The advisory says, “Taking into consideration the need to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it is further advised that the validity of all of the above referred documents may be treated to be valid till 31 March 2021. This covers all documents whose validity has expired since 1 February 2020 or would expire by 31 March 2021.”
It adds, “Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents as valid till 31 March 2021. This will help out citizens in availing transport related services, while maintaining social distancing.”
All States and Union Territories, the Union Ministry said, are requested to implement this advisory in letter and spirit so that citizens, the transporters and various other organisations which are operating under this difficult time during may not get harassed or face difficulties.