Report No. 249

27. Stage-Carriages Act, Act 16 of 1861

Category: Transportation and Infrastructure

Recommendation: Repeal in consultation with relevant State(s)

The Act made provided for the compulsory licensing of stage carriages by the Magistrate or the Commissioner of Police for their use in the Presidency Towns. Stage carriage, for the purposes of this Act, was defined as a carriage drawn by one or more horses ordinarily used for the purpose of conveying passengers for hire. States now have more modern rules to govern the licensing of stage carriages.

In Mumbai, for example, carriages (as defined under this Act), known as Victorias, are licensed under the Bombay Public Conveyances Act, 1920, and not under this Act. Consequently, the Act has fallen into disuse. States such as Karnataka have already repealed this Act for the reason that this is a 'spent' Act.

Therefore, the Central Government should write to the other concerned State Governments recommending the review of this law with a view to repeal. This Act has also been recommended for repeal by the PC Jain Commission Report (Appendix A-5).