Revoke hiked penalty in hit-and-run cases: Himachal Dy CM Mukesh Agnihotri

Shimla, January 29

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has urged the Central Government to withdraw the recent changes made to law regarding hit-and-run cases and the hike in penalty. “As Transport Minister, I am against the provision of drivers facing imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 7 lakh in hit-and-run cases. I think both fine and imprisonment are on the higher side. The Central Government should withdraw the changes made to the law,” he said while speaking at a workshop on ‘Participation of Women in Road Safety Awareness’.

Agnihotri said there were over 1.10 lakh women drivers in the state and safe roads were a fundamental condition for women and children to access work, education, health, and social services. “Road safety is linked to women’s economic and social empowerment. It helps determine the extent of their freedom of choice and movement,” he added.

He said that the Transport Department was working towards creating mass awareness about road safety. “As a result, there has been a 13 per cent decline in road accidents,” he added.