The BJP-ruled states are holding back from implementing the new law, which has been implemented by the Central government since September. After Gujarat, the Karnataka government is also set to reduce heavy fines.
The Karnataka government has decided to take these steps due to public pressure and the demand for cadres of the state unit. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has directed Deputy Chief Minister and State Transport Minister Laxman Savadi to study the central government's September 1 notification and reduce drastic penalties on the lines of Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states.
A day after the Gujarat government announced a 50% reduction in the fine amount, Yeddyurappa said on Tuesday, 'The act came into force in the state from September 3. Following this, heavy fines were being imposed on violators of the law. The new Motor Vehicles Act is being strongly opposed in the state. People are asking to reduce the fine. In view of this, I have asked the state transport department to cut the fine.
Transport Commissioner K. Shivakumar said that no decision has been taken on reducing the fine. An official team of the transport department went to Ahmedabad on 10 September to study the revised order of the Gujarat government. Apart from this, another team went to New Delhi for clarification on the revised provisions from the Union Ministry of Transport. The revised order will be issued on approval from the cabinet. Till then, the police will continue to collect the fine as per the order.
