Kochi: MVD resumes checking; high penalties only after Sept. 23

Kochi: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) on Thursday resumed its intense vehicle checking drive across the state but spared the offenders from doling out spot penalties.

“Intense checking was carried out and the offenders slapped with notice. They will have to pay the fines later at court,” said a senior enforcement official.

The state government is yet to implement new penalties under the amended Motor Vehicles Act and the Chief Minister has convened a meeting on Saturday to decide on charging higher penalties.

“We’ll impose spot fines only as per decision of the high level meeting,” the official said.  “We don’t want to charge lower fines and invite court’s wrath, nor higher penalty that will result in angry reaction from the vehicle users.”