Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: Former minister and senior Congress leader, Mula Ram criticized the Modi led Government at the Centre for imposing heavy penalties by amending the Motor Vehicles Act.
In the meeting held here today, the former minister said that the stiff penalties were “unscientific” and would result in corruption. He alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government had unilaterally imposed the huge fines without consulting the State Governments.
“Major political parties across the country have flayed the Act, which came into force on September 1, in the wake of strong protests by people and trade unions against the increased penalties,” Mula Ram said.
“The number of increasing road accidents should be reduced. Effective interventions should be made for that. But the imposition of hefty fines will only lead to corruption. Necessary changes should be made in the MV Act considering all these factors,” he said.
Hari Singh Chib, president DCC Jammu Rural criticised the J&K Government for allegedly implementing the amended MV Act in the State without any mercy on the poor.
Instead of implementing the existing Motor Vehicles rules effectively, the Government was “penalising” people imposing hefty fines, which cannot be accepted, he said.
Chib said under the new law, people will be fined Rs 10,000 for drunken driving, which was earlier Rs 2,000. The fine for dangerous driving has gone up from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, he said, adding that the common people are not able to pay theft fine.
They appealed the Governor not to implement such Act in the Jammu and Kashmir as the State is not in condition to implement any kind of law due to the present turmoil after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
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