Pathanamthitta (Kerala) | The MVD has suspended one of its enforcement officers for imposing a fine on an off-road vehicle that had been used in flood relief operations, officials said on Friday.
The suspended officer, identified as Laiju, was attached to the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) enforcement wing in Adoor.
According to officials, the officer intercepted the vehicle at Adoor three days ago while returning from flood relief work and imposed a fine for not having valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate and for fitting additional lights.
Following the incident, Youth Congress leaders paid the fine.
Congress MLA Abin Varkey later took up the matter with Transport Minister C P John.
Officials said an explanation was sought from the officer before the decision was taken to suspend him.
However, the association of MVD officials claimed that the vehicle was fined at the Adoor bypass when it was not engaged in any flood relief work.
Speaking to reporters, Aranmula MLA Varkey defended the suspension, saying government servants should exercise a sense of propriety during humanitarian crises such as floods.
"They helped us immensely during the floods. Off-road vehicles arrived from various parts of the state, particularly from Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram districts, as well as from several Jeepers Clubs. They transported food, essential supplies and rescued people from places that ordinary vehicles could not reach," he said.
He said imposing a fine on such vehicles while they were returning after completing relief operations was unacceptable.
"We are facing a major disaster, and they came forward to help when we sought assistance. Penalising them after all that is completely inappropriate," Varkey said.
He said the Youth Congress constituency committee paid the fine, following which he discussed the matter with the Transport Minister.
"There must be a sense of propriety during situations like this. During a flood, everyone is expected to act with compassion and responsibility. I brought this inappropriate action to the minister's attention, and he assured me that necessary action would be taken. I believe the suspension followed that discussion," he said.
Responding to the MVD officials' association's objection to the suspension, Varkey said government employees must exercise discretion during emergencies.
"The officials' association is free to protest if it wants to. But at every stage, officials under this government must maintain a sense of propriety," he said.
According to Varkey, the MVD should not be carrying out inspections or imposing fines during a flood.
"When people are struggling to save their lives and volunteers are coming forward to help, every government official has a duty to act appropriately. The fine has already been paid, but all officials must make decisions keeping the larger public interest in mind," he said.