THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport minister A.K. Saseendran on Monday said the motor vehicles department will not penalise people for violating rules during the Onam festival season.
“There will be no let up in vehicle checking by MV department during this period,” Mr saseendran said. “Instead imposing fine the officials would point out the violations to people and encourage them to abide by the rules.”
The officials will educate the people on the need to follow traffic rules. They will also give gifts to responsible drivers and those who follow traffic rules strictly. All district authorities have been directed to run the campaign throughout the festival season, he said.
The government has decided against charging exorbitant fine as it feels the decision is impractical and unscientific. Moreover, the ruling CPM and the opposition have also come out against the amended MV rules which they say would put huge burden on the people.
The minister said the government had suspended the drive against violation of MV rules carried out jointly by road safety authority, collectors and police till the next round of discussions. “We will have to seek legal opinion on how to implement the law,” he said. “Issues like whether the state government can reduce the amount of fine on its own need to be sorted out. Nobody is saying that they are against penal action or vehicle checking."
But the penal action has to be taken based on the gravity of the violation, intensity of crime and existing social realities. After examining all these aspects the government will be able to take a stand which will avoid harassment to the people, he said.
Sources said the motor vehicles department has collected Rs 46 lakh from September 1 to 6 on account of penalty for violation of rules. Officials say in normal course, the MVD used to collect Rs 7 lakh a day. However, this amount has gone up by Rs 1 lakh after the new rules come into being.
The states ruled by non-BJP parties have opposed the imposition of huge fines accusing the Centre of taking a unilateral decision. They alleged that the Centre held no consultation with state governments before implementing the hike.
Many states including Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal had announced that they would not implement the amended MV Act.
