People can learn from helmet incident of erring MLAs: Parrikar

People should learn from the mistakes of the MLAs, who flouted the traffic rules while riding two-wheelers without wearing helmets, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said in the Assembly here.
Parrikar today came to the rescue of his legislators who flouted the traffic rules, saying that their mistake can serve as a lesson for violators and will create awareness on the issue.
Parrikar told the State Legislative Assembly that the legislators have already been fined by the Transport Department, but government intends to convert this incident for positive use.
"Now policemen can tell people that no one is spared from wearing helmet. We are not even excusing MLAs. Its a mistake," he conceded.

The issue was raised on the floor of the House by independent legislator Benjamin Silva, during the Zero Hour.
"The newspaper photographs (showing MLAs riding without helmets), should be used to convince people why they should not break the law," Parrikar told the House.

Five BJP legislators - Glenn Ticlo, Pramod Sawant, Michael Lobo, Nilesh Cabral and Carlose Almeida, three independents - Avertano Furtado (state labour minister), Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal - and Goa Vikas Party legislator Fransisco Miccky Pacheco had rode to the Assembly complex on five different bikes without wearing helmet.
The Chief Minister said "the MLAs should be the first to abide the law."

Its not an issue of just abiding the law, the legislators should also protect their heads," he said making a light of the situation claiming that "only those who don't have head (brain) should not use helmets."
Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, intervening in the discussion, pointed out that the bikes also parked their vehicle at a wrong place in the Assembly complex.
He demanded attention of the Speaker Rajendra Arlekar towards the act.
"I have taken cognisance of the issue and taken it up to the concerned department. The issue ends here," Speaker said putting a full-stop to the entire conversation.