Helmet rule: CM takes exception to Bedi directive to DGP

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today took exception to Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's directive to the DGP to implement the helmet rule and said some preliminary steps have to be taken before making it mandatory.

Bedi had in a WhatsApp message to the Director General of Police yesterday directed him to implement without delay, the order issued some months back to make helmet wearing mandatory.

Narayanasamy told reporters here that when the government passed the order, MLAs wanted a detailed plan to be drawn up first. They also felt that there should be a sustained awareness campaign before enforcing it, he said.

The order was thus kept in abeyance.

Narayanasamy, who has been at loggerheads with Bedi on various issues ever since she assumed office last year, also questioned the 'propriety' of the Lt Governor in issuing the directive to the DGP through a WhatsApp message without the knowledge of the minister concerned.

"Implementation of such sudden directives would not be possible in a democratic set up", he said adding that the government had already launched programmes to create awareness among people on the need to wear helmets.

He said any decision taken by Lt Governor must be sent first to the concerned Secretary of the department,who in turn would hold discussions with the Minister concerned before issuing orders for compulsory wearing of helmets.

Bedi had yesterday issued the directive to the DGP after highlighting media reports onthreat to the safety of two wheeler riders riding without wearing helmets.