Govt gets notice over speed governor order

The Karnataka high court issued notices to the state government on Tuesday over a petition challenging the order that mandates that transport vehicles be fitted with speed-limiting devices (speed governors).

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association (FKSLOAA) has challenged the state government’s order, dated September 17, 2011. Their petition contends that in the backdrop of a policy decision that the Centre had taken, the state government’s order is invalid.

The petition says that the Centre had decided to withdraw the power conferred upon the states to enforce the use of speed governors until the difficulties faced by the state representatives were solved.

The Centre had held that the states should not take a decision until the apprehensions of the parties concerned are examined and a consensus arrived at. The Centre had taken this decision in the meetings of transport ministers on December 10, 2007, and August 6, 2008.

FKSLOAA’s petition contends that Karnataka government did not address their concerns before passing the order regarding speed governors and thus the order is invalid. Thus, they have demanded the notification be quashed. Justice S Abdul Nazeer heard the petition and issued notices to the state government.