Jawa 42 Galactic Green Colour Denied Registration: RTO Explains Why

Jawa Motorcycles offers the Jawa 42 in six different colours. One of the first colours listed on the website is Galactic Green. While the colour looks close to the Olive Green colour used by the Indian Army, it is different.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

When the colour was first announced, a lot of folk wondered if the Galactic Green would be legal or not. India bans the use of the (Olive Green) Army Green colour for civilian use. The colour can only be used by Military personnel and vehicles.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

An owner of a Jawa 42 Galactic Green has faced problems with registration at a local (RTO) Regional Transport Office in Ernakulam, Kerala. The officer in charge says that the colour is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act and therefore the motorcycle cannot be registered.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

In a letter dated 16th July 2019, the RTO officer said to M/S Classic Motors, Kalamassery, (the dealer who delivered the Jawa 42 Galactic Green), "On inspection of the vehicle, at the time of permanent registration, the authority realized that the vehicle is with the colour of Olive Green, which is against the existing Motor Vehicles Rule."

"Hence you are directed to attend for a personal hearing before the under signed within 7 days with relevant documents," said the letter.

The dealer then shared the letter with the owner of the motorcycle, who contacted Ashish Joshi, CEO at Classic Legends.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

Mr Joshi was prompt with his reply and said that this was a one-off problem. He said, "Should not be the case. Bikes are being registered all over the country. Am looking into it and will come back to you soon."

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

In a message the following day Mr Joshi said, "We have met the RTO and are addressing his problem. To be honest, he wanted a bike delivered without waiting for it and we refused. Hence he is trying to create hassle. In the next 2-3 days all documents pertaining to colour will be handed over so that he cannot hassle our customers or us again."

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

In light of this event, the image shows the Indian Army Uniform Colour Scheme. There are four colours in the table. The three green ones are used across the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Commands. The colours are used for both uniforms and for vehicles.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

These shades of green are Military exclusive and cannot be used by civilians. The only civilians who are allowed to use these colours are those who are part of the Territorial Army, and even then, only during their two month mandatory training or during wartime.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

Now during 2003-04, Mahindra offered the Bolero in a Henna Green shade that was almost close to the green colour used by the Indian Army. The company, that also manufactures personnel and armoured vehicles for the Armed Forces, stopped offering the colour after the Military objected.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

We see a lot of older Royal Enfield motorcycles that still have the Olive Green paint on them. The Indian Army auctions these old motorcycles, in addition to Mahindra jeeps, and other old vehicles every five years. These are the only vehicles that can still retain the OG paint scheme legally.

So in essence, painting personal vehicles and motorcycles in any of the shades of Green listed above is an absolute no.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

Thoughts About The RTO Refusing To Register The Jawa 42 Galactic Green Model

We know Mahindra learned a lesson during 2003-04, and we're sure they carried their lesson over to Class Legends. To be fair, the Galactic Green on the Jawa 42 is not Military Green. It does not violate any of the colour codes that are listed by the Indian Army.

Jawa 42 Green Colour RTO Registration Denied: Authorities Say It Is Indian Army Olive Green

The reason the RTO is creating a ruckus is because the officer in charge wanted a Jawa motorcycle without having to wait for it and the company refused. The RTO officer tried to abuse the authority his ‘office' has and refusal hurt his ego. We wish we knew his name so we could very happily list it out here.

To Jawa Motorcycles, kudos for standing by your beliefs! To the RTO officer, shame on you! We hope Jawa blacklists you and that you never have a legendary motorcycle ever.

Image Courtesy: Rushlane

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Read more on: #jawa motorcycles
Article Published On: Friday, July 19, 2019, 15:03 [IST]
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