Transport minister flayed for statement on jugaads

JAIPUR: BJP chief whip Rajendra Singh Rathore on Thursday hit out at transport minister Brij Kishore Sharma in the assembly for his last year's announcement that the state government would make a provision for registration of jugaads. Sharma had made the announcement while attending a school function in Dausa.
Talking during Zero Hour, Rathore said the recent accident in Sawai Madhopur, where a bus fell off a bridge, occurred as the bus driver lost control in an attempt to avoid collision with an over-loaded jugaad.
He added that jugaads have no indicators or headlights, nor do they have radium strips and run on motors. "Despite the fact that the Motor Vehicles Act has no provision for registration of these vehicles, the transport minister announced that the jugaads too will be registered,'' said Singh, who also pointed out that neither chief minister Ashok Gehlot nor transport minister had gone to the spot or met the families of the victims of the accident at Sawai Madhopur.
He strongly protested the statement made by the minister and alleged that the government was promoting the use of jugaads. "The over-loading jugaads are regularly leading to serious accidents and the state government, by promoting these vehicles, is responsible for the increasing accidents,'' he said.
Singh demanded that the minister should give an explanation to the House. Sharma, however, declined any explanation or comment. "The high court has recently issued a directive with regard to use of jugaads and given the state government four weeks time, to submit its answer. The matter is sub judice and hence I cannot say anything on it,'' he said.