K'taka Transport Dept seeks legal opinion on slashing traffic

The Karnataka Transport Department has sought the law department's opinion on slashing the penalties for traffic violations under the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, a senior Minister said here on Wednesday.

"Regarding the Motor Vehicle Act, the TransportMinister has sought my department's (law) opinion. We willbe giving it today or tomorrow. We hope to reduce therate of penalty imposed," Law and Parliamentary AffairsMinister J C Madhuswamy said.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, hesaid a decision on the matter was yet to be taken as the law department hasbeen asked to give its opinion.

After the Gujarat government announced a drastic cutin penalties for traffic violations under the amended MV act, Karnataka Chief Minister B SYediyurappa had said it would be implemented in the statealso.

The BJP-ruled Gujarat government had announced the drastic cut even as the Centre was justifying the steep fineamounts under the amended MV Act.

In some cases, the reduction in Gujarat is as steep asRs 1,000 from Rs 10,000.

On July 31, Parliament passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which seeks to tighten road traffic ruleslike issuance of driving licence andimposes stricter penalties for violations in an attempt toimprove road safety.

Higher traffic penalties came into effect in moststates from September 1.

There has been severe criticism to the "hefty fines"from sections of the public, with many arguing that the government should first provide good road infrastructurefacilities.

The cabinet also decided to release Rs 1,000 crore to facilitate reconstruction of houses damaged by floods.

"The government has assured Rs five lakh for