Control of motor vehicles.

(1) Where a declaration made under section 3 is in force, the State Government may, without prejudice to other provisions of this Act by general or special order, in such area and for such period as may be specified in the order,- (a) regulate, restrict or give directions with respect to the use of any motor vehicle for the purpose of road transport or the sale or purchase of any such vehicle; (b) require any person owning, or having in his possession or under his control any motor vehicle (hereinafter in this section referred to as "the said person") to make to any person specified in this behalf a return giving such particulars as may be specified in the order with regard to such vehicle and require such return to be verified in such manner as may be specified therein; (c) require the said person to give notice in such manner as may be specified in the order before disposing of the motor vehicle or allowing it to pass out of his possession or control; (d) require the said person, or any person employed in connection with any motor vehicle, to comply with any directions given by any per son specified in, or duly authorised in pursuance of, the order and such directions may require the said person or such employed persons to use the vehicle for the conveyance of such persons or goods at such time and by such routes as may be set forth in the directions; (e) prescribe the conditions subject to which and the rates at which any motor vehicle may be hired for the purpose of road transport and persons or goods may be carried by road, and the conditions subject to which goods so carried or to be carried may be discharged or loaded; (f) provide for the giving of directions with respect to the carriage of persons or goods on any particular motor vehicle or by any particular route, or to any clearing house or depot ; (g) provide for the regulation of the priority in which persons and goods are to be carried by road and vehicles are to be used for the purpose of road transport ; (h) make such other provisions in relation to road transport as appear to the State Government to be necessary or expedient. (2) If any police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector of police or any Gazetted Officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf has reason to believe that any motor vehicle is or is kept in or upon any building, land or other premises, or is being used by any person in contravention of an order made under sub-section (1), such officer may,- (a) enter and search any such building, land or premises, as the case may be, and seize any motor vehicle found which he suspects to be therein or thereon in contravention of the order; (b) stop such person and seize any motor vehicle which is being used in contravention of the order. (3) If any person contravenes any order made in pursuance of this section, he shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or with both.