Petrol pump dealers threaten to protest against 'no helmet, no fuel' rule

Petrol pump dealers across Maharashtra on Wednesday threatened to stop the purchase of new stock of fuel from August 1 if the government fails to withdraw 'no helmet, no fuel' rule for two-wheelers. 

Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association (FAMPEDA) held a meeting in Mumbai yesterday to discuss the matter, Zee Business reported.

According to the government's new rule, the petrol pump dealers will be responsible for any action if they provide fuel to those two-wheeler riders who are not wearing helmets. 

Around 200 petrol dealers were present during the meeting. Uday Lodh, president of FAMPEDA, said, "If the new rule comes into effect from August 1, we will not pick up or stock petrol and diesel at 4,500 pumps in the state, including 500 in Mumbai, We also intend to move the Bombay High Court seeking annulment of the ‘no helmet, no fuel’ rule for two-wheelers", The Hindu report said.

Reportedly, last week, State Transport Minister Diwakar Raote announced the new rule in Legislative Assembly keeping road safety as priority. As per the report released by Road Transport Ministry in June 2016, in Maharashtra 63,805 accidents took place in 2015, second highest in the country.