THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In respite to swelling population of motorists in Kerala, the State has decided not to levy heavy fines under the new Motor Vehicles Act until it sought clarity from Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This decision was taken at a high-level meeting convened by Transport Minister AK Saseendran on Monday.

“We have sought clarity on this from the Centre. Let it makes its stand clear, after which we shall take a decision on traffic fines,” he said.

According to the minister, the State will check Union government whether states can give relaxations in fines. The Centre should issue ordinance rather than leave it open-ended. The minister were opinion the steep hike fines all on a sudden was ‘unscientific’ and devoid of logic.

However, Kerala initially supported heavy fine when came into effect on September 1. But it took a U-turn sensing the public backlash and also allegedly taking into consideration Pala by-election.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had also came out against the law and termed it ‘unscientific’. Saseendran directed the Motor Vehicle Department not to levy new fines till the government took a final decision. This decision will happen once the Centre issues fresh orders, giving powers to states to take a call on fines.