ORDINANCE No.18 OF 2007
THE KERALA ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY
ORDINANCE, 2007
Promulgated by the Governor of Kerala in the Fifty-seventh Year of the Republic of India.
AN
ORDINANCE
to provide for the constitution of a Road Safety Authority for the implementation of road safety programmes in the State, for the establishment of a Road Safety Fund and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
Preamble.-WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the Constitution of a Road Safety Authority for the implementation of road safety programmes in the State, for the establishment of a Road Safety Fund and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto:
AND WHEREAS, the Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (7 of 2006) was promulgated by the Governor of Kerala on the 7th day of January, 2006;
AND WHEREAS, a Bill to replace the said Ordinance by an Act of the Legislature could not be introduced in, and passed by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Kerala during its session which commenced on 3rd day of February, 2006 and ended on the 21st day of February, 2006 and the session commenced on the 14the day of March, 2006 and ended on the 15th day of March, 2006.
AND WHEREAS, in order to keep alive the provisions of the said Ordinance, the Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (27 of 2006) was promulgated by the Governor of Kerala on the 17th day of March,2006;
AND WHEREAS, a Bill to replace the said Ordinance by an Act of the State Legislature could not be introduced in, and passed by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Kerala during its session which commenced on 24th day of May 2006 and ended on the 30th day of June, 2006;
AND WHEREAS, in order to keep alive the provisions of the said Ordinance, The Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (35 of 2006) was promulgated by the Governor of Kerala on the 5th day of July 2006;
AND WHEREAS a Bill to replace the said Ordinance by an Act of the State Legislature could not be introduced in, and passed by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Kerala during its session which commenced on 18th day of September 2006 and ended on the 26th day of October 2006;
AND WHEREAS, in order to keep alive the provisions of the said Ordinance, The Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (55 of 2006) was promulgated by the Governor of Kerala on the 30th day of October, 2006;
AND WHEREAS a Bill to replace the said Ordinance was published as Bill No.48 of the Twelfth Kerala Legislative Assembly and introduced in its third session on 27th December, 2006 it could not be passed during that session which ended on 29th December, 2006 for want of time.
AND WHEREAS, under sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of Article 213 of the Constitution of India the Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (55 of 2006) will cease to operate on the 7th day of February, 2007;
AND WHEREAS, difficulties will arise if the provisions of that Ordinance are not kept alive;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of the State of Kerala is not in session and the Governor of Kerala is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 213 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Kerala is pleased to promulgate the following Ordinance:-
1. Short title and commencement.-(1) This Ordinance may be called the Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2007.
(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 7th day of January, 2006
2. Definitions.- (1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires,--
(a) "accident" means any incident wherein, on account of the use of a motor vehicle on a public road, death, bodily injury or damage is caused to any person or property, as the case may be;
(b) "authority" means the 'Road Safety Authority' constitute under section 3;
(c) "cess" means the cess levied under section 10;
(d) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Authority or of the Executive Committee, as the case may be;
(e) "department" means a Government department;
(f) "district" means a revenue district;
(g) "District Road Safety Council" means the District Road Safety Council constituted under section 19;
(h) "executive committee" means the executive committee of the Authority;
(i) "fund" means the Road Safety Fund constituted under section 11;
(j) "local authority" means a Panchayat constituted under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (13 of 1994) or a Municipality constituted under the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 (20 of 1994);
(k) "regulations" means the regulations made under section 39;
(l) "public road" shall include, any private road to which public have access and also the traffic islands, medians and footpaths;
(m) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance.
(n) "vehicle" includes any contraption or device used or capable of being used for the carriage or movement of human beings, animals or goods;
(o) "victim" means a victim of an accident or who dies in such an accident.
(2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this Ordinance shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central Act 59 of 1988), Kerala Highway Protection Act, 1999 (6 of 2000) or the rules made thereunder.
3. Constitution of the Authority.- (1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, constitute, with effect from such date as may be specified therein, an Authority to be called "the Kerala Road Safety Authority".
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with powers, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to contract and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
(3) The Authority shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) the Minister for Transport, who shall be the Chairman of the Authority;
(b) the Minister for Works, who shall be the Vice -Chairman of the Authority;
(c) the Principal Secretary, Transport Department;
(d) the Law Secretary;
(e) the Principal Secretary, Home Department;
(f) the Principal Secretary, Finance Department;
(g) the Principal Secretary, Public Works Department;
(h) the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department;
(i) the Principal Secretary, General Education Department;
(j) the Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department;
(k) the Road Safety Commissioner, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority;
(l) the Director General of Police;
(m) the Director, Health Services Department;
(n) the Inspector General of Police (Traffic);
(o) the Chief Engineer (Roads and Bridges);
(p) the Chief Engineer (National Highways);
(q) the Director, National Transportation, Planning and Research Centre;
(r) the Additional Transport Commissioner, and
(s) three persons who are experts in the field of road safety, nominated by the Government.
(4) The nominated members of the Authority shall hold office during the pleasure of the Government.
(5) Any nominated member may, at any time, resign his office by a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Authority.
4. Functions of the Authority.- The Authority shall have the following functions, namely:-
(a) advising the Government on road safety policies;
(b) prescribing and enforcing road safety standards and procedures;
(c) formulating schemes, projects and programmes, relating to road safety;
(d) co-ordinating the work relating to road safety with all concerned agencies and departments;
(e) implementing road safety programmes;
(f) administering the Fund;
(g) sanctioning expenditure for the implementation of road safety schemes and programmes;
(h) sanctioning expenditure for road safety projects and for purchase and installation of equipments and devices connected with road safety;
(i) sanctioning financial assistance to organisations and institutions working in the field of road safety;
(j) sanctioning expenditure for the conduct of studies, projects and research on matters relating to road safety;
(k) extending assistance to victims of accidents;
(l) sanctioning expenditure for trauma-care programmes or activities;
(m) sanctioning administrative expenditure of the Authority;
(n) sanctioning expenditure on matters connected with road safety measures;
(o) discharging such other functions, as may be prescribed, having regard to the objects of this Ordinance.
5. Executive Committee.-(1) There shall be an Executive Committee for the Authority consisting of the following members, namely:-
(a) Chief Secretary, who shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee;
(b) Transport Commissioner shall be the Vice Chairman ;
(c) Inspector General of Police (Traffic);
(d) Chief Engineer (Roads and Bridges);
(e) Chief Engineer (National Highways);
(f) Director, Health Services; and
(g) Additional Transport Commissioner or Joint Transport Commissioner- Member Secretary.
(2) The Executive Committee shall be in charge of the implementation of the decisions of the Authority.
(3) Subject to such restrictions, conditions and limitations, as may be imposed by the Authority, the Executive Com mittee shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions of the Authority as may be delegated to it by the Authority.
6. Meetings.-(1) The Authority and the Executive Committee shall meet at such time and place as the Chairman of the Authority or the Executive Committee, as the case may be, may decide and shall observe such rules of procedure in relation to transaction of business at the meetings, as may be made by regulations.
(2) Every meeting of the Authority or the Executive Committee shall be presided over by the Chairman or in his absence by the Vice-Chairman or a member chosen by the members present.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Authority shall be seven.
(4) The executive committee may meet at least once a month.
(5) The quorum for meeting of executive committee shall be three.
7. Disposal of Business.- Every matter to be decided by the Authority or the Executive Committee shall be considered and disposed of at the meetings of the Authority or of the Executive Committee, as the case may be, in accordance with the decision of the majority of the members present.
8. Vacancies etc. not to invalidate proceedings of the Authority.- No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalidated merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Authority.
9. Road Safety Commissioner.- (1) The Chief Secretary who is the Chairman of the executive committee shall be the ex-officio Road Safety Commissioner for the purpose of this Ordinance.
(2) The Road Safety Commissioner shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
10. Levy and collection of cess.- (1) There shall be levied and collected a one-time cess for the purposes of this Ordinance on every motor vehicle used or kept for use in the State at the rates specified for such vehicle in the Schedule:
Provided that no such cess shall be levied on a motor vehicle kept by a dealer in, or manufacturers of, such vehicle for the purpose of trade:
Provided further that if the Government are of opinion that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, they may, by notification in the Gazette, make an exemption in regard to the cess payable under this Ordinance in respect of any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles.
(2) Every cess leviable under sub-section (1) shall be payable by the registered owner or any person having possession or control of the motor vehicle, as the case may be.
(3) The cess levied under sub-section (1) shall be collected by the taxation officer appointed under the Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1976 (19 of 1976) or in such manner and at such time as may be prescribed.
(4) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, direct that for the purpose of collection of cess, the provisions of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1976, (19 of 1976), shall apply, subject to such modifications as may be specified in the notification.
(5) Where any person who is liable to pay the cess in respect of a motor vehicle fails to pay the cess within the time prescribed under sub-section (3), such person shall, in addition to the cess, pay an amount of fine equal to ten percent of the cess due.
(6) The proceeds of the cess levied and collected under this Ordinance by the Government together with fines, interest and fees recovered thereunder shall first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of the State and after deducting the expenses of collection and recovery, as determined by the Government, the remaining amount shall, under appropriation duly made by law in this behalf, be entered into and transferred to the Fund.
(7) Any amount transferred to the Fund shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State.
11. Establishment of the Fund.- (1) As soon as may be after the constitution of the Authority, there shall be established a Fund to be called the '' Kerala Road Safety Fund''.
(2) There shall be credited to the Fund,-
(a) the amount transferred under sub-section (6) of section 10;
(b) grants, loans or advances made by the Government;
(c) grants, loans or advances made by the Government of India;
(d) contributions from public or private institutions or organisations;
(e) compounding fee collected under section 28.
(3) The Government shall contribute to the Fund every year, an amount equal to fifty percent of the compounding fee collected in the previous year under section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central Act 59 of 1988).
12. Vesting and administration of the Fund.- (1) The Fund shall vest in and be administered by the Authority constituted under section 3.
(2) The Authority shall administer the Fund vested in it in such manner, as may be prescribed.
(3) All moneys forming part of the Fund shall be deposited in the State Bank of Travancore or any nationalised bank, as may be decided by the Authority and the account shall be operated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority in such manner, as the Authority may decide.
13. Utilisation of the Fund.- The Fund shall be utilised for all or any of the following purposes, namely:-
(a) road safety programmes;
(b) awareness programme in respect of road safety;
(c) purchases of equipments connected with road safety;
(d) funding of approved studies on projects and research regarding road safety;
(e) giving assistance in the form of grants or loans to individuals, organisations and institutions working in the field of roadsafety;
(f) giving assistance or relief to victims of accidents;
(g) trauma - care programmes and related activities;
(h) administrative expenses of the Authority;
(i) expenditure on matters connected with road safety, as the Authority may deem fit ; and
(j) any other purpose as may be prescribed.
14. Power to order removal of causes of accidents.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, where the Authority is satisfied on a report by any person or otherwise that-
(i) the act of any person or persons on a public road; or
(ii) the placement or positioning of any vehicle, animal, object, structure or materials including arches, banners, display boards, hoardings, awnings, tents, pandals, poles, platforms, rostrums, statues, monuments and other similar structures, on a public road; or
(iii) the movement of animals or vehicles on a public road; or
(iv) the condition of any tree, structure or building situated in the vicinity of a public road; or
(v) the entry or exit of any building or premise in the vicinity of a public road,
is likely to cause accidents or causes obstruction to the free flow of traffic or distract the attention or obstruct the vision of the driver of any vehicle, the Authority may, after recording reasons thereof, direct the person concerned, either by a general or special order, to take such measures as it considers necessary and such person shall be bound to comply with the direction within such time, as may be specified by the Authority.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), in case of urgency, the Authority may take such action as may be necessary to prevent accident or obstruction, as the case may be, and recover the cost thereof from the person responsible, in such manner as may be prescribed.
15. Power to order works.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, it shall be lawful for the Authority to order any work or improvement on a public road, as it may consider necessary, to secure safety on such roads and every department or the local authority or any other authority concerned shall be bound to carryout such works or improvement within such time, as may be specified by the Authority:
Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be issued in respect of any highway declared as such under the Kerala Highway Protection Act, 1999 (6 of 2000) except with the prior consultation of the highway authority of the respective area appointed under the said Act.
(2) It shall be the duty of every officer of the Government, local authority or any other authority to act in aid of the Authority in enforcing the orders under sub-section (1).
16. Power to recover cost.- If any person on whom a written order is served under section 14 refuses or fails to comply with the order, the Authority may take such action as to prevent danger and ensure safety to the public and may recover the cost thereof from such person.
17. Amounts recoverable as arrear of land revenue.- Any amount due to the Authority under this Ordinance shall, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, be recoverable in the same manner as an arrear of public revenue due on land.
18. Delegation.- The Authority may, with the previous approval of the Government, delegate to the Executive Committee, Road Safety Commissioner or the District Road Safety Council such of its powers and functions, as it may consider necessary, for the effective implementation of the road safety programmes by general or special order, subject to such restrictions as it deems fit.
19. District Road Safety Council.- (1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, constitute a Council to be called "the District Road Safety Council" in every district in the State.
(2) Every District Road Safety Council shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) the District Collector- ex-officio; who shall be the Chairman of the Council;
(b) the District Superintendent of Police-ex-officio;
(c) the Executive Engineer (Roads and Bridges) -ex-officio;
(d) the Executive Engineer (National Highways)-ex- officio ; and
(e) the Regional Transport Officer having jurisdiction over the head quarters of the District-ex-officio; who shall be the Member Secretary of the Council.
(3) The District Road Safety Council shall exercise such powers and perform such functions, as the Authority may, from time to time, delegate.
20. Staff.- (1) The Authority may, with prior approval of the Government, appoint such officers and staff as it deems necessary for the discharge of its functions under this Ordinance.
(2) The designation, method of appointment and other conditions of service of the staff shall be such, as may be prescribed.
21. Expenses.- All expenses of administration of the Fund including the salary and allowances of the staff and other employees shall be met from the Fund.
22. Accounts.- The accounts of the Fund shall be maintained by the Road Safety Commissioner in such manner, as may be prescribed.
23. District Road Safety Council to submit reports, etc.- Every District Road Safety Council shall submit such reports and returns and furnish such information to the Road Safety Commissioner, as may be required from time to time, and the Road Safety Commissioner shall submit a consolidated report to the Authority, annually.
24. Annual report.- (1) The Authority shall during each financial year prepare, in such form and at such time, as may be prescribed, an annual report giving a true and full account of its activities in the previous year and submit such report to the Government before such date as the Government may by order specify.
(2) The Government shall cause every such report to be laid before the Legislative Assembly, as soon as may be, after the receipt of the same.
25. Audit.- (1) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by Accountant General.
(2) The Authority may carry out internal audit of the accounts every year by such officials as it deems fit.
(3) The accounts of the Authority, as certified by the auditor, together with the audit report thereon shall be submitted to the Government along with the remarks thereon by the Authority and the Government shall cause the same to be laid before the Legislative Assembly.
(4) The Authority shall take such corrective steps as may be ordered by the Government in pursuance of the report.
26. Punishment for failure to comply with the Authority's order.--(1) Whoever refuses or fails to comply with any order of the Authority or the Road Safety Commissioner or any District Road Safety Council under this Ordinance, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of six months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
(2) In the case of a continuing offence a fine of one thousand rupees shall be imposed for each day for which the offence continues.
27. Punishment for obstructing the Authority.--Whoever obstructs the Authority, the Road Safety Commissioner, District Road Safety Council or any officer of the Authority or of the District Road Safety Council or any person employed or engaged by them in the discharge of the functions under this Ordinance, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both.
28. Composition of offences.- Any offence punishable under section 26 may either before or after the institution of prosecution, be compounded by such officers or authorities and for such amount as the Government may, by notification in the Gazette, specify in this behalf.
29. Offences by Companies.- If an offence punishable under this Ordinance is committed at any time by a company, every person who is in charge of and responsible to the company for the conduct of its business at the time of the commission of the offence and the company shall be deemed to be responsible for the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that where any offence under this Ordinance has been committed by a company and it is proved that the commission of the offence is with the consent and connivance attributable to any neglect on the part of any Director, Manager, Secretary or other officer of the company such Director, Manager, Secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be responsible for that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this section,-
(a)'company' means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) 'Director' in relation to a firm means the partner in the firm.
30. Appeals.- (1) Any person aggrieved by an order passed by any officer of the Authority or of a District Road Safety Council under this Ordinance may, within such time as may be prescribed, appeal to the Appellate Authority, as may be appointed by Government in this behalf.
(2) Every appeal preferred under sub- section (1) shall be accompanied by such fees, as may be prescribed.
(3) After the receipt of any appeal under sub-section (1), the Appellate Authority shall, after giving the appellant an opportunity of being heard in the matter, dispose of the appeal as expeditiously as possible.
31. Revision.- The Government may, suo-motu or on application made to it by the aggrieved person , call for the records of any case in which an order has been passed by the Authority or by a District Road Safety Council and if it appears to the Government that the order is improper or illegal, the Government may pass such order as it deems fit.
32. Members and employees of the Authority to be public servants.- All members and employees of the Authority while acting or purporting to act under the provisions of this Ordinance or any rules made thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Central Act 45 of 1860).
33. Protection of action taken in good faith.- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Government or Authority or any officer of the Government or any member or other employees of the Authority for anything, which is done in good faith or purported to be done under or in pursuance of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder.
34. Cognizance of offences and Trial.- No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Ordinance except on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence submitted with the prior permission of the Road Safety Commissioner.
35. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts.- No civil court shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal with any question or to determine any matter which is by or under this Ordinance required to be settled, decided or dealt with or to be determined by the Government or the Authority or any officer authorised by the Government or the Authority.
36. Ordinance not in derogation of the Kerala Highway Protection Act, 1999.- The provisions of this Ordinance shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of the Kerala Highway Protection Act, 1999 (6 of 2000).
37. Power to give directions.- The Government may give directions to the Authority in matters of policy of the Authority and the Authority shall be bound to give effect to such directions.
38. Power to make rules.- (1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) functions to be performed by the Authority;
(b) the manner and time for collection of cess under section 10;
(c) the manner in which the Fund shall be administered by the Authority;
(d) the purposes for which the Fund shall be utilised;
(e) the designation, method of appointment and other conditions of service of the officers and staff of the Authority;
(f) the manner in which the accounts of the Fund to be maintained by the Road Safety Commissioner under section 22;
(g) the form and time for preparation of annual report under section 24;
(h) the time and fee for filing appeal under section 30;
(i) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
(3) Every rule made under this Ordinance shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Legislative Assembly, while it is in session, for a total period of fourteen days, which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the rule or decides that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
39. Regulations.- The Authority may make regulations in respect of the procedure to be adopted by the Authority and the Executive Committee for meetings and disposal of matters coming up before the Authority or the Executive Committee, as the case may be.
40. Removal of difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Government may, as occasion may require, by order, do anything not inconsistent with this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder, which appears to them necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty.
41. Repeal and Saving.-(1) The Kerala Road Safety Authority Ordinance, 2006 (55 2006) is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Ordinance.
THE SCHEDULE
(See section 10)
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Serial Class of Motor Vehicle Rate of cess
No. (in Rupees)
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1 Heavy Motor Vehicle 500/-
2 Medium Motor Vehicle 300/-
3 Light Motor Vehicle 200/-
4 Two Wheeler 100/-
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R.L.BHATIA,
GOVERNOR.
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