Not enforcing hefty fines for now: Razia

Chandigarh, September 5

Putting all speculations to rest, Razia Sultana, Transport Minister, today made it clear that for the time being the provisions of the amended Motor Vehicles Act would not be applicable in the state and until any decision was taken on the implementation, old fines would be taken from traffic violators in the state.

The minister said transport being the state subject, Punjab would exercise its discretion in implementing some of the provisions of the amended Act through which the quantum of fine for traffic related violations had been raised manifold.

She said the government was also aware of the fact that every day number of innocent citizens die in road accidents. She said the Congress government had taken a number of initiatives to curb traffic rules violation. She cited that recently the department had decided to equip the traffic police with e-challan machines for on-spot challan of the violators. A decision to establish road safety secretariat has been taken which will keep an eye on vehicular traffic all across the state and it will be responsible for ensuring compliance of road safety norms. — TNS