Former deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar expressed his displeasure over the "No Helmet No Petrol" decision taken by the transport department.
An example of how social media can influence the high and mighty was evident in the state Legislative Assembly when chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that he would discuss the issue that has cropped up from the "No Helmet No Petrol" decision with his transport minister.
Former deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar expressed his displeasure over the "No Helmet No Petrol" decision taken by the transport department. Pawar said he has information that even the chief minister was not in favor of this decision but he had to relent due to the insistence of transport minister Diwakar Raote.
It was Pawar who, without referring to a joke circulated via WhatsApp, told the House that in Pune, people were thinking of starting a novel business after this compulsion of helmet for filling petrol in two-wheelers. He said the business was of providing helmet for Re1 to facilitate the entry of bikers into petrol pumps to tank up their bikes. The helmet can be returned at the exit gate of the petrol pump!
Following Pawar's jibe, Fadnavis said the spirit and motive behind the decision were pure since an option was being explored to ensure use of helmets while driving two-wheeler. He also informed the House that fatality in most of the accidents involving bikes was due to non-use of helmets. However, Fadnavis assured that he would discuss the issue with the transport minister so that feasibility of the decision could be verified.
A joke was circulated on WhatsApp soon after Raote's announcement of "No Helmet No Petrol" decision. Since citizens of Pune are largely against making helmets compulsory, the joke made fun of Raote's announcement and cited the instance of a Punekar starting a business of providing helmets on rent, just for filling up petrol at petrol pumps.
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