CHITRADURGA: When the careless work of some people is overlooked at various levels, it leads to embarrassing situations. And the best example now is the May and June pages of the official calendar of the state government which are carrying a picture of an old man ferrying children on a tractor trolley.
Carrying people on a tractor trolley is an offence under the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. But, the calendar adorns the walls all state government offices.
The photograph also has a line taken out from a poem by renowned poet D V Gundappa which states: “Hale Beru Hosa Chiguru Koodiralu Mara Sobagu”, which means the coexistence of old and new will make life more beautiful. This is also the tag line for the Right to Education Act.
The 100th entry in the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, under section 200 of Indian Motor vehicles Act, 1988, prohibits carrying of people in goods vehicles, including tractors. In case of violation, each person has to pay a fine of `100.
When Express contacted Regional Transport Officer H J Thembad regarding the photograph, he said, “Carrying of people on trolleys is banned. It is registered as a goods carriers.” Child rights activist and former general secretary of District Bar Association Shivu Yadav described the photograph as illegal, and urged the government to withdraw all the calendars and reprint new ones.He also urged the government to initiate action against the officials who were responsible for the selection of the photo. Commissioner for Public Instruction Tushar Girinath said, “The point has been taken note of. I will check it up. If there is a violation, steps will be taken to correct it.” He did not commit on whether the calendar would be withdrawn if the violation was established.