Indian Youth Congress holds protest against heavy fines for traffic violators

Indian Youth Congress has asked the government to reduce the fine amount for traffic violators as it was hurting the interest of the common people. It held protests in various parts of Delhi.

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Wednesday organised a protest against the amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act, saying citizens were being harassed by levying heavy fines.

The IYC members, who held protests in front of Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's residence and at various places in the city, also demanded reduction of fines against traffic violators.

Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on September 1, the penalty for driving without insurance has been doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for first-time offenders and has gone up four times for second-time offenders to Rs 4,000.

The protesters said the country was passing through an economic slowdown and increasing fine for traffic rule violators was not an option.

"People don't have jobs and the government is imposing heavy fines. It's to harass people," IYC spokesman Amrish Kumar said, demanding a reduction in fines.

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