Law to catch up with rule violations

Law to catch up with rule violations
Deccan Herald

Guardians of Kannada, backed by government organisations, may be making a big show in ensuring that the City is virtually painted in the language of the land.

Yet, the zealousness to go Kannada in some spheres, particularly Kannada lovers who want to paint their motor vehicle registration plates only in Kannada letters and numerals, could be illegal.

In fact, if one goes by the letter of the law, if vehicles bear plates carrying registration numbers only in Kannada letters and numerals, the plates can be termed defective. The vehicle owner can be penalised and even fined Rs 300.


RTO Jayanagar, Shafi Ahamed, told Deccan Herald, "According to Central Motor Vehicle (CMV) Act (Rule 50, d), the letters of the registration mark shall be in English and the figures in Arabic numerals.” But the State government has issued a notification in 2001 clearly stating that besides adhering to the CMV rules, vehicle users can also go in for Kannada plates. This means that the vehicles can have two number plates - one adhering to the compulsory CMV rules, while the other sticks to Kannada.

Will the City Traffic Police and RTO officials clamp down on vehicles with Kannada registration plates?

The traffic police sought to pass the buck to the RTO. Sources in RTO said that a notification is getting ready asking the department officials and the police to clamp down on vehicles carrying registration plates only with Kannada letters and numerals.