Bhubaneswar: There seem to be no relief coming in for the commuters from the new Motor Vehicles Act as Odisha government hinted at not reducing the hefty fines for traffic violations in the State.
Replying to a media query whether there are any plans to bring down the fines, State transport minister Padmanabha Behera made it clear that the penalties being collected under the new traffic rules would not be slashed.
“Why to reduce the penalties? This is a matter of safety of life and property of people,” the minister said.
When asked that some States have already reduced the penalties, Behera said, “I do not know why other States have reduced the penalties. In my view, it is not necessary.”
Commenting on some errors and discrepancies in the penalty collection, Behera said, “A high-level meeting on road safety will be held on December 18. Odisha DGP, chief secretary and officials of other departments will be present and a detail discussion will be held in this regard.”