3 weeks ago
Kerala reinstates suspended MVD officers after non-cooperation protest
Some traffic officers in Kerala stopped a car and gave the driver a fine of 5,000 rupees because the car had a special light on its bonnet that was not allowed.
But that car was on its way to help people affected by floods.
Many people were angry that a rescue vehicle got a fine.
The officers said the driver never told them it was a rescue vehicle, and they were just following new, stricter rules.
Their bosses suspended the two officers, which meant they could not go to work for a while.
Other traffic officers thought this was unfair, so they started a protest.
During the protest, they still checked vehicles but did not give any fines — they just talked to drivers and let them go.
The government changed its mind very quickly and let the two officers come back to work, but they were moved to different towns.
An investigation into what happened is still going on, and the story shows how even big organisations can disagree about what is fair.
The Kerala government revoked the suspension of two Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors who were suspended for imposing a Rs 5,000 fine on a vehicle with an unauthorised bonnet-mounted light.
The vehicle was travelling to Aranmula for flood and disaster relief operations when it was stopped in Adoor.
MVD employees launched an indefinite non-cooperation protest, continuing roadside inspections while counselling motorists instead of imposing fines.
The government reinstated the two officials but transferred them out of Adoor, saying the departmental probe would continue.
The officials said they were enforcing an August 4 circular on strict traffic violations and the driver never mentioned relief work; a video surfaced on Monday appearing to show occupants saying they were on relief operations.
- Who
- Two Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors of Kerala's Motor Vehicles Department, MVD employees who protested, and the Kerala government.
- What
- The suspension of two MVD officials was revoked after employees held a non-cooperation protest over a Rs 5,000 fine on a flood-relief vehicle; the officials were reinstated but transferred.
- Where
- Adoor and Aranmula in Kerala.
- When
- In the days following a government circular dated August 4; the suspension was lifted within hours of the protest, and a video surfaced on Monday.
- Why
- Widespread public outrage and a swift employee protest over the suspension of officials who fined a relief vehicle forced the government to retreat.
Officials' defence
Public and relief workers' view
Fine on a relief vehicle
Officials' defence
The inspectors say they were carrying out a routine inspection, the driver never told them the vehicle was on rescue work, and they were acting under an August 4 circular requiring strict enforcement of traffic violations.
Public and relief workers' view
Occupants say the vehicle was engaged in flood and disaster relief operations, so the fine was inappropriate, and a video that surfaced on Monday appeared to support their account.
Handling of the suspension and protest
Officials' defence
The government took a middle path — lifting the suspension but transferring the officials — to ease a confrontation that threatened traffic enforcement and state revenue from penalties, while continuing the probe.
Public and relief workers' view
MVD employees say the officials were punished without an adequate chance to explain their side, and the rapid withdrawal of the suspension is a vindication of their non-cooperation protest.
Key facts
- Fine imposed
- Rs 5,000
- Reason for fine
- Unauthorised bonnet-mounted light
- Officials involved
- Two Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors
- Incident location
- Adoor
- Relief destination
- Aranmula
- Government action
- Suspension revoked; officials transferred to different postings
- Protest action
- Indefinite non-cooperation — inspections continued, fines stopped
- Probe status
- Departmental probe continues
Sources
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