Odd-even : BJP MP Vijay Goel fined for violating rule; Kejriwal says one should not tamper with scheme

Continuing his tirade against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel on Tuesday violated the Odd-Even scheme as a mark of protest following which he was penalised by the traffic police.

Speaking to ANI, Goel said, “I don’t oppose the Odd-Even scheme rather I oppose the amount of public money being used by the Kejriwal government to advertise it. If they remove those advertisements, I won’t protest with regard to this scheme.”

Later, taking to micro-blogging site, Goel said, “Happy 2 receive immense support from the people of Delhi in my symbolic protest against d gross misuse of public funds #oddevencorruption,” said Goel on Twitter.

happy 2 receive immense supprt frm d people of Delhi in my symbolic protest agnst d gross misuse of public funds #oddevencorruption

— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) April 18, 2016

“Successful protest against #oddevencorruption, a scheme wid Maximum publicity & minimum effect,” he added.

The former Delhi BJP president had on Sunday announced that he would violate the Odd-Even rule on Monday as a mark of protest against the scheme which he alleged is a ‘publicity stunt’ by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Expressing disappointment over BJP MP Vijay Goel’s move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that one should not tamper with a move, which has received immense public support.

Kejriwal said the reports state that the people of Delhi are following the initiative very positively.

Responding to a poser about Goel being fined Rs. 3500 for violating the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal said, “Vijay Goel ji was driving without license. This is a very dangerous thing.”

Kejriwal carpooled with transport minister Gopal Rai to reach his office as the second phase of odd-even scheme came under real test with reopening of offices, schools and other institutions after the extended weekend.

Heavy traffic was, however, seen at ITO and near Akshardham in the morning hours on the first working day after the road-rationing scheme was rolled out on April 15.

Under the fortnight-long scheme, private cars having odd registration numbers can ply only on odd dates and the even numbers on even dates, subject to a set of exemptions, which include VIPs, women, school going children, medical emergencies, commercial vehicles and CNG cars.

The rules, whose violation attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, are applicable between 8 AM and 8 PM, except on Sundays.

In the second phase from April 15-30, the government added into its exemption list people driving with school children in uniform.

However, the government has not been able to arrive at a solution to the problem of cars returning after dropping school children or heading towards the schools in the afternoon hours to pick them up, and suggested car pooling.