Kar CM justifies new compulsory helmet rule for pillion riders

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today justified the compulsory helmet rule for two-wheeler pillion riders across the state, saying it was being implemented in accordance with Supreme Court verdict.
"We did not bring the helmet rule, we just carried out the direction of the Supreme Court," he said, as the police began to strictly implement the rule from today.
The rule was effective from January 12 but the police went slow, giving time for buying helmets. Wearing helmet is now compulsory not only for the rider but also pillion riders.
To a query, Siddaramaiah said a decision will be taken on January 25 on conducting Joint Session of State Legislature.

On appointment of Lokayukta, he said names of Justices Vikramjit Sen and S R Nayak hadbeen shortlisted by the government and a selection committee would meet on January 25.
The selection panel consists of Siddaramaiah, JusticeS K Mukherjee (Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court), Jagadish Shettar (Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly), K S Eshwarappa (Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council), Kagodu Thimmappa (Assembly Speaker) and D H Shankaramurthy (CouncilChairman).