West Bengal won't implement new traffic rules

Calling the amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act "too harsh," the Trinamool Congress chief Mamta Banerjee said it was against the federal structure of the government and that she will not implement the new law that imposes hefty fines for traffic violations. "We had opposed amendments in Parliament. If we implement the new rules, it will hurt general people," the chief minister said. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill cleared Parliament in July and came into effect on September 1. The centre has contended that tightening the rules on traffic violations will help make the country's roads safer. But seems state governments are not convinced. Gujarat, a BJP-ruled state has already slashed penalties while Congress-ruled Rajasthan too is approaching the new provisions with caution. Bengal becoming the third state to reject the centre's new law.