No enforcement of back seatbelt rule: Ker minister

Kerala Government today stuck to its position that use of seatbelt by rear seat occupants of cars was not going to be enforced, amid speculation that Transport Commissioner Rishiraj Singh is sore over the stand.
The Government gave an assurance in the state assembly yesterday that this rule would not be made mandatory and would withdraw a circular issued by Singh to the contrary.
When asked about the issue, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said in Kottayam that it would be difficult to enforce this rule since 80 per cent of vehicles registered in the state did not have backseat belts.

"Those who want to use backseat belt can use that.However, it will be impractical to say that all existing cars should have backseat belts", Radhakrishnan told reporters in Kottayam.
He played down reports in a section of local media that Rishiraj Singh had extended his leave for another month apparently to express his resentment at the government's stand on the issue.
"He is a good officer.I do not think that he wants to get relieved as Transport Commissioner", Radhakrishnan said.
The circular insisting on wearing of belt by rear seat occupants was made against the backdrop of the Centre making suggestions in that direction following the death of Gopinath Munde in a road accident in New Delhi within days of his becoming a minister at the Centre.