By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 28: A technical issue on the Meghalaya Transport Department website is hindering access to key transport laws, as links to central acts and rules automatically switch to Hindi.
When users navigate to sections regarding the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, or the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, they are redirected to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways website. However, users report that while the content initially appears in English, the page automatically switches to Hindi within seconds, regardless of attempts to change the settings.
This glitch makes it difficult for those who cannot read Hindi to access vital legal provisions concerning licenses, registration, penalties, permits, and road safety regulations.
In Meghalaya, where English is the primary language for official communication and Hindi is not universally understood, the problem raises concerns about digital inclusivity and the accessibility of central laws.
The issue highlights the broader challenges faced by citizens in non-Hindi-speaking states when accessing government information online, particularly legal and regulatory documents that impact daily compliance. Since these acts govern road usage and transport penalties, users argue that the documents should remain consistently accessible in English.
