'Officials should not misuse their power'; suspension of MVD officials is not a punishment, says Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Minister C P John has responded to the suspension of Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) officials in Pathanamthitta, saying officials should not misuse their powers. He said officers must use their authority properly and added that the current suspension is not a punishment.

“What happened in Pathanamthitta was an unusual flood situation. Off-road drivers arrived based on a request from the authorities. Why should those who came for rescue operations be penalised? The drivers did not cause any problems. The current suspension is not a punishment,” the minister said.

The MVD officials were suspended after they fined a vehicle that had arrived for flood relief operations. Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey had complained to the Transport Minister against the fine, following which action was taken against the officials. The vehicle was fined Rs 5,200 for having auxiliary lights installed on the front of the jeep. The Youth Congress paid the fine following the MLA's instructions.

The vehicle is owned by a resident of Mezhuveli. Youth Congress workers said the off-road vehicle had been brought to Aranmula to help shift flood-affected people to safer locations. However, the officials said the fine was imposed in Adoor, not during the relief operations in Aranmula. The incident drew criticism from various quarters after news of the fine emerged. Chief Minister V D Satheesan also intervened in the matter and spoke to the vehicle owner over the phone. The MVD officials who imposed the fine were subsequently suspended.