Helmet Use Mandatory For Government Employees: Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar Penalty for Violations; Notation in Service Record
Pune, October 23: Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, the Divisional Commissioner, has made it mandatory for all government and semi-government employees, working across various offices including municipal corporations, councils, government institutions, and colleges in Pune division, to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers. He emphasized that all concerned must adhere to this rule. Any violation of this mandate will lead to disciplinary action, including penalties, and the violation will be recorded in the employee’s service book, according to the issued directive.
Dr. Pulkundwar issued this circular in accordance with Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which mandates the use of helmets for both riders and pillion passengers. The directive follows multiple orders from the High Court and the Supreme Court, stressing helmet usage as compulsory for two-wheeler riders.
The circular also referenced provisions from the Maharashtra Civil Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1989, which prohibit any act contrary to laws, rules, and established norms. Employees are required to maintain discipline and comply with legal orders, making the use of helmets mandatory.
The directive instructs the heads of government offices to ensure fines are collected from violators and that their failure to wear helmets is noted in their service records. Dr. Pulkundwar urged all employees to take the lead in preventing road accidents by starting with their own adherence to helmet use.
The circular highlighted a recent meeting led by Justice Abhay Sapre, chairperson of the Supreme Court-appointed Road Safety Committee, which stressed the rising fatalities among two-wheeler riders in India and Maharashtra. The committee emphasized the critical role of helmets in reducing fatalities and directed authorities to strictly enforce helmet usage and raise public awareness about road safety.