Mah Govt to impose heavier fines for drunken driving: Patil

Pune, Sep 4 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today said the state government will impose stiffer penalities and harsh punishments for drunken driving in Mumbai and Pune Region.

Talking to reporters after the inauguration of the 5th Maharashtra State Police Duty Meet here and the release of book 'Crime in Maharashtra-2006', Mr Patil, who holds the Home portfolio, said in Mumbai alone, around 6,000 drunks have been booked monthly and an amount of Rs 1.10 crore has been collected by way of fines.

He, however, regretted that fines had not deterred people from indulging in drunken driving as per records and breath analyser tests. Therefore, there was a need to impose still heavier fines in lakhs of rupees and harsher punsiments.

''The accidental deaths have gone down, but the number of drunken drivers on roads still remains the same as it was on the first day of the implementation of the order against drunken driving,'' he said.

To a query, The Minister said the state police was in readiness to counter any terrorist attack.

''A red alert has been given and security in the state is tight.

Maharashtra is the economic hub of the country and therefore the aim of terrorists is only to weaken the country,'' he explained.

To a poser, Mr Patil reiterated that crime rate in Maharashtra per lakh persons was much less than in global cities like New York, London and Paris and even less as compared to Delhi and Bangaluru in India.

While admitting that crimes against women, dalits and poor are increasing, he said the state government would take measures to protect them and fight on behalf of the weaker sections of society.

The Deputy Chief Minister said work timings for policemen will be reduced to 15 hours in the state. Those wanting to do research will be encouraged and field work will be reduced.

He said Maharashtra Police were the best paid in the country and efforts were on to still secure better health and insurance programmes.

To a query on graft charges against Pune Police Commissioner Jayant Umranikar, Mr Patil gave him a clean chit, saying that as per the preliminary report of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) nothing was found against him.

Earlier, Director Inspector General (CID) S P S Yadav welcomed the guests.

Awards in different categories, including Scientific aids to investigation, Police Photography, Police Videography, Anti Sabotage, Computer Awareness and Dog Squad Competitions, will be distributed on September 7.

UNI