THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: In the wake of country-wide resentment over the shocking increase in traffic penalties, Kerala government has decided to step in with damage-control moves.

According to sources, the government has decided to halve the penalty amounts that are being charged now as per the amended the Motor Vehicle Act.

For minor traffic violations such as not wearing helmet and seat-belt, the penalty may be reduced to Rs 500 from Rs 1000. On the other hand, the traffic police have been instructed not to any leniency towards drunk drivers.

The fine for driving without driving licence will be cut down to Rs 3000 from Rs 5000. Implementation of hefty traffic fine was opposed by common people all over the country. The money collected as fine in Kerala during the first four days following the implementation of the amended law was Rs 46 lakh.

Even the ruling party CPM had come out publically against levying whopping amounts as fines. It was after this that the government stepped in to cool the hot tempers of the people.

Transport minister A K Saseendran said hiked fine won’t be imposed until the government get a clarity from the Centre on the amended motor vehicle law. The order on cutting the current hiked fine to half will be issued soon after the next cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, while bringing the country-wide resentment to his notice, Union Transport Minister Nithin Gadkari said each state could take their own decision on reducing the fine.