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The Kerala Government is willing to reconsider bringing back the seat-belt rule for passengers in the rear cabin provided it has the concurrence of the Opposition.
It was willing to take back its decision to revoke the rule notified earlier by the Motor Vehicles Department and the Transport Commissioner.
Member's complaint
The rule was revoked after a member complained that it was imposed on the public without considering the ground realities in the State and putting motorists to hardship.
The member had gone to the extent of suggesting that the Government ‘restrain with a belt’ overzealous officers who flaunt their power for cheap publicity.
But the matter came up right back to the floor of the State Assembly this morning during discussions on the latest accident here in which an inebriated driver backed up his bus killing a mother and kid.
Latest stand
Leader of the Opposition VS Achuthanandan said the continuing flip-flop over the matter reflected lack of coordination between the Ministry and concerned officials.
It was in response to this observation that the Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan made public the Government’s latest position.
He also said the Government did not have any differences with Rishiraj Singh, Transport Commissioner, who wanted to strictly enforce the seat-belt rule.
Singh, who had proceeded on leave to Delhi in between, has returned to Thiruvananthapuram and has ruled out the option of seeking deputation at the Centre.
Rishiraj Singh returns
Reports had suggested earlier that he was upset that the Government had taken a decision against the seat belt rule in his absence and without consulting him.
Even Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan was reported to have taken up cudgels on behalf of Singh by saying that he would push for Central legislation in the matter.
Earlier this month, the death of Gopinath Munde, who had just been sworn in as a Union Cabinet Minister, had triggered a nation-wide demand for enforcing the seat-belt rule for rear passengers.
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