Government-Owned Vehicles Older Than 15 Years To Be Scrapped And Deregistered

NEW DELHI: A notice from the Road Transport and Highways ministry stated that starting on April 1, 2023, all vehicles held by the central and state governments of India, including buses owned by transport corporations and public sector organisations, will be de-registered and demolished.

However, according to the announcement, special purpose vehicles like armoured and other specialised vehicles employed in preserving law and order and internal security as well as for national defence will not be subject to the ban.

In accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021, it was stated that after fifteen years have passed since the date of the vehicle's initial registration, disposal of such vehicles "shall" (should) be facilitated through the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility.

According to the policy, which was published in the Union budget for 2021–22, fitness checks for personal automobiles will be required after 20 years and for commercial vehicles after 15 years.

The Center had previously stated that under the new policy, which went into effect on April 1, 2022, states and union territories will have to offer up to a 25% tax credit on road tax for cars bought after old cars have been scrapped.

Nitin Gadkari, a union minister, had stated last year that he wanted to have at least one auto recycling facility within 150 kilometres of every major centre. He added that the entire South Asian region could use India as a centre for automobile recycling.

Sources claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy in 2021 and stated that it would aid in the phase-out of unfit and polluting automobiles as well as the advancement of a circular economy in the nation.

Also read: Nagaland: Heroin Worth Billions Found in Anti-Narcotics Operation

Also watch: