'Driving test reforms are not contrary to central law'; HC refuses to issue stay on new circular

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has refused to place a stay on the driving test reforms circular to be implemented in the state. It was Justice Kauser Edappagath who rejected the petition seeking a stay on the driving test reforms. He also clarified that there was no reason to grant a stay against the implementation of the circular. The court rejected the plea stating that the commissioner has the authority to issue the circular and that the reforms are not contrary to the central transport laws. The court will again hear the case on May 21.

All Kerala Motor Driving Schools, Instructors and Workers Association, Driving School Owners Samithi and others had filed a petition in the High Court challenging the reforms. The petitioners argued that the reforms issued by the Transport Commissioner were in violation of central laws and that the state had no authority to bring changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Act. The government, however, argued that the circular was legal as it implemented the directives of the central law.

Widespread protests are taking place across the state over the new driving test reforms. In Thiruvananthapuram, the organizations protested against the reforms by burning the new circular in front of the test ground in Muttathara. Meanwhile, Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar is of the stand that the Motor Vehicle Department will go ahead with the reform.