Odisha Govt creating fear among commuters through New MV Act: Congress

Bhubaneswar:  As RTO officials are going all out  frisking traffic violators across the state following completion of a six-month relaxation period, Odisha Congress today targeted the state Government alleging that it is only creating fear among the commuters.

Reacting to the allegations of misbehaviour by police personnel during checking under the amended Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), senior Congress leader Suresh Routray today said the state Government is creating an environment of fear for the commuters.

“Reports of police personnel misbehaving with few commuters had surfaced yesterday. The state Government is keen on creating troubles for the public. People  commuting to important places like hospitals and schools are facing a lot of inconveniences due to strict enforcement of the new MV Act,” Routray said, ”

He further warned, “If this continues, we will intensify our protest and gherao RTO offices throughout the state in the coming days”

Refuting the allegations, State Transport Minister Padmanabh Behera said, “We don’t encourage such behavior. All RTOs have been directed not to misbehave with any commuter during checking. Since September, 2019, there has been a decline of 50% in the number of road accidents in the state due to strict enforcement of the MV Act. We aim to reduce the number of accidents further and protect human lives.”

Worth mentioning, a whopping Rs 1.06 crore fine was collected from traffic violators across the state under the amended MV Act in the past  24 hours. The six-month relaxation period came to an end on February 29, 2020.