Govt's intention is to save lives, not to earn revenue through fines: Nitin Gadkari on Motor Vehicles Act

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today appealed to states against softening a new law that calls for steep fines for traffic violations, a day after his own party's government in Gujarat slashed the penalties. "This isn't a revenue income scheme, are you not worried about deaths of 1,50,000 people," the Road Transport minister said, without naming any state.

Nitin Gadkari said all states should learn from Tamil Nadu, where road accidents were down by 28 per cent. "Some 2-3 lakhs are losing their limbs in these accidents. This is bad for the country. My appeal is that these fines are not for revenue but to save lives," he said.

"There is a lot of change. There is a rush of people trying to avoid violating the law. This system will help save lives," added Mr Gadkari, admitting that all state governments had the right to decide on the fines.