‘Traffic violations fine hike in India‘s interest’, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

The rise in the fines for violation of vehicular traffic rules is in the interest of the country, particularly the poor, Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday, but refused to comment on whether state governments have the authority to reduce the fines. 

Gujarat government had on Tuesday drastically reduce the fines, to which union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said that states can’t make changes in the law.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said this in the city while addressing the media persons to brief them about the achievements of the NDA government in its first 100 days. 

The union government had amended the Motor Vehicles Act to significantly increase the fines for violations of traffic rules. However, the Gujarat government, on Tuesday, moderated the hike in fines. To this, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier commented that states can’t make changes in the provisions, unilaterally.

During the media interaction, Law Minister Prasad was asked whether states have the authority to amend the provisions (especially in the context of Gujarat), he declined to offer a comment, but stood by the hike in fines. 

“Every year so many people die because of road accidents. We need to stop this. The increase in the fines is in the interest of the nation, especially the poor – who form the largest chunk of the victims,” Prasad replied to the question.

The minister said that abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, the abolition of Triple Talaq, the death penalty in sexual crimes against children as major achievements in first 100 days of the second term of union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“Abolition of Article 370 has now been globally acknowledged. Even China did not oppose it openly. It is now clear that (Sardar Vallabhbhai) Patel was right while (then Prime Minister Jawaharlal) Nehru was wrong. It was a historical wrong, which has now been corrected,” said Prasad. 

He assured that the status of Kashmir as a Union Territory is temporary and it will soon get the status of a full-fledged state, while Ladakh will continue to be a Union Territory.

Defending the decision to ban Triple Talaq in the country, the Law Minister stated that even 12 Islamic countries have banned the custom.