Centre stands firm, rejects Rajasthan's plea to reduce traffic penalties

NEW DELHI: Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari urged states to implement the amended Motor Vehicles Act while giving a cold shoulder to a demand from Rajasthan to reduce penalties. He said only those who violate rules face the risk of paying hefty fines and the improved law favours law-abiding commuters.
He was responding to a demand from Rajasthan government to reduce traffic fines and penalties under the amended law, which came up at the 39th meeting of Transport Development Council here on Thursday."When it was brought to his notice that a two-wheeler driver was slapped with huge fines, the minister said he was aware about the case.
He asked whether such persons who commit multiple offences should be allowed to go scot free?" said an official, who was present in the meeting.
Sources said Assam was the only state of those present to commit to implement the central law in totality. Gadkari also warned officials responsible for faulty engineering and road designs of strict action as road accidents have huge impact on country's economy.