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HELMET ISSUE: M A G SUSPENDS AGITATION ON
TRANSPORT MINISTER'S ASSURANCE
Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar today (Jan 15) assured a delegation
of Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) that the Government would not enforce the
helmet rule from 20th January and that a decision on the matter would be
taken only after consulting all concerned.
In view of the Minister's assurance the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has
decided to suspend the planned State-wide agitation by two-wheeler riders
which was scheduled to be launched on Jan 19th.
A delegation of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) led by its Convener Mr.
Premanand Lotlikar and Adv. Aires Rodrigues today called on Transport
Minister Pandurang Madkaikar and submitted a memorandum, strongly opposing
fresh moves by the authorities to make use of Helmets mandatory.
The delegation told the Minister that in April 2001 his predecessor Mr.
Pandurang Raut, with the approval
of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, had after due thought and
consideration, sensibly proposed two
exemptions to the use of helmets. Persons driving or riding motorcycles of
any type at a speed not exceeding 40 km and Persons driving or riding
motorcycles of any type in Municipal areas were to be exempted from the
mandatory use of helmets.
The delegation requested the Minister to take appropriate steps accordingly
to resolve this issue
once and for all by directing the authorities to allow these two exceptions
after duly notifying it to the
public. The delegation also told the Minister that the Government of Goa
should order an inquiry to expose the plan of certain police and transport
department Officials who for monetary gains are conniving with the Helmet
Manufacturers' lobby and trying to once again make use of helmets by
two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers mandatory.
The delegation told the Minister that Goans are capable of deciding for
themselves whether to wear a
helmet or not and that much more has to be done for road safety before
trying to enforce mandatory use of helmets. The delegation complained that
the current fresh move to make helmets mandatory is not because of rider's
safety but just another attempt by greedy officials trying to make a fast
buck and had to be aborted.
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