Indian Youth Congress staged a protest against the implementation of Motor vehicles Act on Wednesday in the national capital outside the residence of Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Motor Vehicle Amendment Act came into effect from 1 September. The amended rules impose heavy monetary punishment on flouting traffic rules. The Act was passed by Parliament in July. According to the new rules, people will be fined Rs. 10,000 for drunken driving instead of Rs. 2,000. The fine for dangerous driving has been increased from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000. Driving two-wheeler without a helmet will be liable to a fine of Rs. 5000. Under the act, 24 offenses have been made compoundable.
Amrish Ranjan Pandey, Media Head of Youth Congress, while talking to ANI, said “Whenever you brought a law then there would have an awareness program
before that. It is a doctorial Tughlaqi ‘farman’. Hefty challans have been issued by
traffic police for a small violation. This is unrealistic and unconstitutional. I hope
Gadkari would understand our demands.”
Implementation of the act has left the commuters in a worry. Long waiting queues can be seen at the pollution checking booth near petrol pumps. Many parties are protesting the latest move by the government. Responding to this, Nitin Gadkari replied that the main aim of increasing the fines is to save the lives of people on road. He said the government is not thinking about revenue generation but focusing on making people respect the law.
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari on the new Motor Vehicles Act: We are implementing this to create fear & respect for the law. It is not a revenue making proposal but a proposal to save lives of the people. We are losing 2% GDP due to road accidents. pic.twitter.com/wMmzL0d9rH
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2019
Recently, Gujarat has backed down from implementing the Act in its present form. Vijay Rupani-led government in the state diluted the heavy fines and introduced lower penalties for its citizens.
It has also been reported that the Maharashtra government has asked the Transport Ministry to reconsider its decision. To this, Nitin Gadkari told reporters that during the discussion of the Act, Devendra Fadnavis didn’t raise any objection.
Union Min Nitin Gadkari on Maharashtra govt writing to him to reconsider the new Motor Vehicles Act:Maharashtra Transport Min was a part of the committee that approved the Act. During my discussion with Devendra Fadnavis,he didn't mentioned about it.I feel there'll be no problem. pic.twitter.com/AIb7c8QYL1
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2019
While speaking to the media, Nitin Gadkari also extended his support to the Nirmala Sitharman‘s comments on Millennial generation. The minister further said that the government is with the automobile industry and considering various options to help it.
Union Min Nitin Gadkari on Finance Min N Sitharaman's statement, ‘studies tell that millennials now prefer to have Ola/Uber': It's one of the reasons affecting automobile sector. Somewhere because of global economy,business cycle&because of demand and supply, there is a problem. pic.twitter.com/60lpwTSy8k
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2019
Earlier in Kerala, Congress party and CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) also came out to protest against the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act.
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