Karnataka - Mysore   

Police to be asked to go slow on helmet rule

Staff Correspondent

MYSORE: Is the State Government seriously thinking of scrapping the helmet rule, which was introduced in six city corporation limits of the State on November 1?

According to sources, the ruling Janata Dal (Secular) has become sensitive to the voices of criticism from thousands of two-wheeler riders in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum.

The Government is believed to be looking at the issue from the legal angle in view of the High Court observations on making helmet rule mandatory. The State Government is understood to be awaiting the poll process in Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency in Mysore to take a re-look on the issue of helmets and arrive at a decision in the matter. "Any decision on withdrawal of helmet rule at this juncture will violate the poll code of conduct," said the source. Home Minister M.P. Prakash said the police officials in the six city corporation limits would be advised to go slow on implementing the rule in view of the shortage in supply of helmets.

Mr. Prakash told presspersons in Mysore that the Government had issued a gazette notification on compulsory wearing of helmets in the wake of a High Court ruling based on a report submitted by NIMHANS.

"Before issuing the gazette notification, the Government had invited objections. We did not receive objections," Mr. Prakash said. However, the Government later exempted pillion riders from wearing helmets after initially making it mandatory. Although he ruled out withdrawal of the rule, he said the police officials would be asked to be "liberal" while dealing with defaulters.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Bypoll result will reflect our work: Kumaraswamy
Deve Gowda to expose `evil designs' of Congress
Siddaramaiah's procession hits traffic in parts of city
Police to be asked to go slow on helmet rule
Kharge confident of Congress victory in byelection

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu