Political tussle in Goa over new traffic rules

Panaji, Sep 12 (IANS) A political tussle has broken out in Goa over the delayed implementation of the amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), which recommends hefty fines for traffic violations.

While Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has sought time until January 2020 for implementation the new MVA rules, the Congress has claimed that infighting among central BJP leadership has led to delayed implementation, especially in BJP-ruled states.

"The decision of the Goa government to delay the implementation of the amended Motor Vehicle Act, is a fallout of a tussle between central BJP leaders," Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello told IANS on Thursday.

Goa's Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho had earlier said, that the state government would need time to implement the provision of the Act, which prescribe a steep hike in fines for traffic violations like drunken driving, overspeeding, driving without licence, etc and that the actual enforcement may begin by January next year.

He said, that the large number of potholes on the state's roads would be fixed first, and then the government will implement the amended MVA which was passed on July 31 this year by the Parliament.

"We will fix the potholes by January before implementing the new rules," Godinho said, adding that fines for "some violations" may be rationalised.

BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Karnataka have already announced slashing of some of the penalties prescribed by the amended law, which is aimed at bringing down road accidents.

Meanwhile, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA and former deputy Chief Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, whose party supports the BJP-led coalition government, has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to implement the amended MVA urgently in Goa, to curb the rate of accidents in the coastal state.