State govt withdraws no helmet, no fuel rule

Petrol pump operators and two-wheeler owners had vehemently opposed the rule

The state government finally withdrew its proposed No Helmet No Fuel rule after petrol pump operators and two-wheeler owners opposed it. Petrol pump operators will now have to furnish the details of the two-wheeler riders not wearing a helmet to the local Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) at regular intervals. The officers are expected to take the action against the violators based on the information.

Petrol pump operators, however, are against compiling such information and submitting it to the government. Instead, the operators have suggested the government install CCTV cameras at petrol pumps to catch errant riders.

The state government had announced the rule was to be implemented from August 1. After the pump operators opposed it citing the safety of their employees, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, on July 28,

stayed the decision. Concerns were raised by the opposition in the state legislature claiming the decision was ‘impractical’.

Clearing its stand on the policy, transport minister Diwakar Raote said on Friday that instead of refusing fuel, tpumps will have to give the state government the details of the violators.

“We are not for any such responsibility put on us because it will lead to flashpoints between our employees and two-wheeler riders. Secondly, it will be difficult to subsequently prove violations

Shinde said because the government was mulling introducing an e-chalan system, providing information about violators will not be required at all.

According to the sources, the transport minister was made to withdraw the policy after leaders from almost of the parties met the CM and convinced him about its ‘impracticability’.