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HELMET ISSUE: MAG LAUNCHES AGITATION
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) today ( March 1) launched its peaceful State -wide agitation to protest against the Government's decision to make the use of helmets mandatory from 7th March.
A public meeting held at Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panaji vowed to launch a relentless struggle to ensure that the Government notifies the two exemptions to the helmet rule as mooted by the former Transport Minister Pandurang Raut in consultation with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in March 2001.
Addressing the meeting MAG Convenor Premanand Lotlikar stated that though most States had abandoned the helmet rule the Government of Goa was once again raking the helmet issue at the instance of some police and transport department officials who for monetary gains in connivance with the helmet manufacturer's lobby were trying to desperately enhance the sale of helmets
Presiding over the meeting Adv. Aires Rodrigues regretted that though Chief Minister had assured the
Goa Assembly almost two years ago that Stray cattle would be cleared from our roads and highways, nothing has been done to date and that besides one lakh stray dogs chasing two wheeler in particular are a cause for many accidents. Adv. Rodrigues condemned police action in harassing two-wheeler riders but turning a blind eye to the reckless traffic violations by four wheelers especially the rash and negligent buses and trucks which were the cause of major deaths on roads.Adv. Rodrigues felt that if the Government were really interested in road safety the first step would be to end the rampant corruption in the police and transport departments.
Noted Konkani writer N. Shivdas in his address ridiculed the Government's failure to deal with the
causes of accidents and stated that lives would not be saved by merely wearing helmets
Mr. Suresh Thakur, President of All Goa Motor Cycle Pilots Association demanded that Government should as assured earlier grant the two exemptions excluding persons driving motorcycles at a speed not exceeding 40 km and persons driving motorcycles in municipal areas from the mandatory use of helmets.
Anthony Vaz stated that drunken bus and lorry drivers were responsible for most accidents and had to be awarded deterrent punishment. Konkani Writer Johnny Mascarenhas said Goans were capable to decide whether to use helmets or not. Later two wheeler riders led by MAG Convenor Premanand
Lotlikar staged a demonstration infront of Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar's Old Goa residence
shouting slogans against the Government's adamant attitude in trying to enforce the helmet rule.
Meanwhile, the North Goa Zilla Parishad at its meeting held on 28th February passed a unanimous resolution urging the Government not to make the use of helmets mandatory.
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