Even Sonia, Kejriwal backed traffic fines hike: Gadkari


PTI, Sep 21, 2019, 12:06 PM IST

New Delhi: Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the purpose behind hiking penalties for traffic offences was to save lives, and even Sonia Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal supported the move.

Defending the amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act at India Today Conclave here, Gadkari recalled his own traumatic experience of a road accident.

“High penalties under the Act are not means for revenue generation. They are meant to save lives,” he said during an interactive session.

“Five lakh accidents take place (in the country) every year, in which about 1.5 lakh people die, nearly three lakh become disabled. 65 per cent of victims are in the age group of 18 to 35 years,” he said.

When asked by the interlocutor about opposition to hiked fines by even BJP-ruled states such as Gujarat, he said, “Why don’t you also mention that (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi and (Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader) Arvind Kejriwal have supported the Act.”

Recalling a personal experience, Gadkari said when he was the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, he and his family members were injured in a road accident, and he was hospitalised for a year.

“I understand the sufferings (of accident victims),” the BJP leader said.

“The penalties can be decided by the states,” he said, denying that there was any rift between the Centre and the BJP-ruled states over the issue.

State governments can levy fines in the range between the minimum and maximum limits prescribed in the act, he said.

Asked about the economic slowdown, Gadkari said the economy was facing some problems because of the global situation, demand-supply dynamic and business cycles.

“Ups and downs are not permanent. GDP will recover. We are doing better than USA and China. We must keep positive attitude. The economy will accelerate. The objective of five trillion USD economy will be achieved,” the senior minister said.

Gadkari, who also holds the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises portfolio, said MSME’s contribution to the economy is 29 per cent.

“We have a plan to boost the MSME sector with a provision of Rs 10,000 crore. If MSMEs list with the National Stock Exchange, out of the total capital raised, 10 per cent capital will be from the Government,” he said.

The real estate sector was going through a slump, but the infrastructure and road sector was doing well, Gadkari claimed.

On the Narendra Modi government’s 2016 decision to scrap nearly 86 per cent of the currency to fight black money, which some economists described as a body blow to the economy, Gadkari said demonetisation was a “reform” and not a problem.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Maharashtra Polls: Eknath Shinde targets Uddhav for `giving up’ Bal Thackeray’s principles for power

Will appear before Lokayukta for questioning in MUDA case, says CM Siddaramaiah

Lies have short life, Cong’s ‘fake’ narrative smashed: Fadnavis

Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered

SC junks plea against quashing of LOC issued to ex-house help of Sushant Singh Rajput

JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal to visit K’taka on Nov 7 to meet farmers protesting Waqf notices

Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins WBF’s world title

Related Articles More

Wayanad Bypoll: Politics in country, Kerala not genuinely working for people, says Priyanka Gandhi

Malegaon blast trial: Court issues bailable warrant against Pragya Thakur

Maharashtra Polls: Eknath Shinde targets Uddhav for `giving up’ Bal Thackeray’s principles for power

CBI forms SIT to probe into Tirupati laddu adulteration allegations

Out on bail, murder accused shoots dead wife, three children in Varanasi

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

MP Brijesh Chowta urges Kerala CM for strict action against attack on Edneer Swamiji’s vehicle

Mangaluru: Asiatic male lion arrives at Pilikula Zoo

Waqf Notice Issue: Not an accident, but state government’s conspiracy, claims V. Sunil Kumar

Wayanad Bypoll: Politics in country, Kerala not genuinely working for people, says Priyanka Gandhi

Malegaon blast trial: Court issues bailable warrant against Pragya Thakur

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.