Chandigarh, September 5: Punjab Minister for Transport Razia Sultana Thursday made it clear that the provisions of the amended Motor Vehicle Act would not be applicable in the state yet. Till a decision is taken in this regard, the rule violators will be fined as per the old system.
In a press communiqué released today, the Transport Minister said ‘Transport’ being the state subject, the Punjab Government will exercise its discretion in implementing some of the provisions of the amended Motor Vehicle Act. As per the new Act, the quantum of fine for traffic-related violations has been raised manifold.
She said Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government was very serious in implementing stricter traffic discipline, but was also sensitive to the fact that every day a number of innocent citizens die in road accidents.
Also Read: From Sept 1, be prepared to pay up heavy penalties for breaking traffic rules
The Minister said that the government has taken a number of initiatives to curb traffic rules violation. She said recently, the transport department has decided to equip the traffic police with E-Challan Machines for on-the-spot challan of traffic rule violators.
Likewise, a decision to establish Road Safety Secretariat has been taken which will keep an eagle’s eye on vehicular traffic across the state and it will be responsible for ensuring compliance of Road Safety Norms.
She said that in a welfare state like India, the idea of imposing penalties was to deter people from violating traffic rules and not to increase the state treasury. She said that the state government will soon take a call on this issue.
