Brakes put on helmet rule

After attracting a lot of criticism for the state government’s announcement of no fuel being sold at petrol pumps to helmet-less two-wheeler riders, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said he will ask the transport minister to reconsider the decision. The CM’s statement came after NCP MLA Ajit Pawar raised the issue in the Assembly, pointing out that petrol pump owners, too, have opposed the move and called for a strike from August 1.

“The intention behind the decision was good since it was that road accidents should be curbed. Despite a rule of helmets being compulsory, riders do not follow it. The number of accidental deaths is higher in the state compared to others. This is why the decision was taken. But I will speak to the (transport) minister and discuss the issue with him to resolve it,” the CM said in the House.

Transport minister Diwakar Raote had announced last week that people riding two-wheelers would not be sold fuel unless both the rider and pillion-rider were wearing helmets.

Opposing the idea, Mr Pawar said that the petrol dealers’ association has called for a strike against the decision. “The petrol pumps have declared that they will not buy petrol from August 1. The decision has created outrage among fuel sellers and riders as well. The government should rethink its decision and come up with some solution before August 1,” Mr Pawar said.

The state government has issued instructions to the traffic department that its diktat be strictly followed at all fuel pumps. The traffic police has already initiated action in this direction and the rule will be fully implemented within the next eight-10 days.

Mr Raote made a statement on Thursday in both the Houses of the state legislatures, informing the lawmakers about the government’s decision.

“The road safety committee appointed by the Supreme Court has demanded strict implementation of the Motor Vehicle Act. As per the Act, both the persons on a two-wheeler must wear helmets. Even though wearing helmets on two-wheelers is compulsory in the state, many people do not abide by the rule. Providing fuel to people not wearing helmets indirectly encourages them to disobey the law,” the minister had said in the statement.