Patna: The authorities enforced the seat belt drive for the second consecutive day on Thursday, but they were seen letting off police violators while residents complained that the Rs 600 fine for not sporting the life-saving belt was burning a hole in their pocket.
Rajesh, an enforcement sub-inspector (ESI) from Bhojpur, who has on special duty in Patna, stopped Sabzibagh resident Junaid Khan at Hartali Mor near Pant Bhavan for not wearing the belt. Accompanying Rajesh were two other ESIs - G. Mritunjay from Patna and Hemant Kumar from Jehanabad.
Khan first said he was not aware of the drive, to which Rajesh said it was not something that needs to be declared, as it is part of driving rules. He said a driver and the person sitting in the front seat must wear the belt while driving and anybody found violating the rule will have to cough up Rs 600 as fine. The violator then gave in.
Like on Wednesday, the transport department took the help of the community police and NCC children to streamline traffic.
In the course of the checking drive, there were traffic problems that led to jams. But the community police and the NCC landed there with a public address system to ensure there were no traffic problems. Two magistrates were deployed at Hartali More.
Many residents complained that the fine was too much and should be brought down to Rs 100. But the officers said Rs 100 was the fine for not wearing helmet and Rs 600 for not wearing seat belt. Another genuine complaint by residents was the partiality the authorities indulged in.
This was evident at the Dakbungalow roundabout where ESI Shiv Kumar from Gaya was deputed along with H.R. Kumar. Many police vehicles passed by Dakbungalow roundabout, but the transport department officials did not dare fine them. One vehicle with Patna High Court written on it was also let off.
Asked why they were not imposing fines on police vehicles, Shiv said, "No, no we are not sparing anyone." He then asked junior officers to ensure police vehicles too are fined but once again two police vehicles were allowed to pass by.
The seat-belt checking drive was taking place at Saguna Mor, both flanks of Hartali Mor, Dakbungalow and Kargil Chowks.
"On the second day, 657 vehicles and bikes were fined, in which Rs 2,51,100 was collected," transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said, sharing final figures of Thursday's drive. "In future as well, the drive will continue once every week at different city roundabouts. Our only motive is to save people's life."
