The Department of Transport, Government of Nagaland, has directed all vehicle owners in the State to get insurance for their vehicles against third party risks to avoid penalty.

“… in the interest of Public Service, the State Government reiterates the necessity for mandatory insurance against third party risk for all motor vehicles as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and directs all vehicle owners to insure their vehicles against third party risks to avoid penalty”, a notification from the department stated.

The Transport Department reminded that under Sub-section (1) of Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 states that,

“(1) No person shall use, except as a passenger, or cause or allow any other person to use, a motor vehicle in a public place, unless there is in force, in relation to the use of the vehicle by that person or that other person, as the case may be, a policy of insurance complying with the requirements of this chapter.”

Section 196 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 states, “Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 146 shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine or four thousand rupees, or with both.”

The provisions of the above sections of the act are enforced throughout the territory of India, and for penalizing/compounding offenders, the Police and the Enforcement Personnel of the Motor Vehicle Department are detailed on road and the public places for conducting vehicle checking, the notification said.

Therefore, the department reiterated the mandatory need for vehicle insurance