few MPs were found violating the odd-even rule as Parliament convened after a break on Monday. Cine star and Gujarat MP Paresh Rawal, BJP UP chief and MP Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP MPs Prahlad Patel, Ashwini Minna, Babulal Chauhan and B C Khanduri.
Of these Mr. Minna was exempt as he carries "Z" category security which, as per the terms of the scheme, allows for exemption from restrictions proposed under the odd even vehicle rationing scheme.
On its part, the Delhi government refused to budge from its position in relation to the enforcement of the scheme with Transport Minister Gopal Rai announcing that no exceptions would be made for MPs in response to criticism from several Parliamentarians in both houses even as Transport Minister Gopal Rai asserted that Parliamentarians “intentionally” violating its restrictions would not be spared.
“There are just four days left and by the time any change in the notification is effected, the scheme will itself end,” Mr. Rai said after a meeting with Vice-President Hamid Ansari over objections raised by MPs.
“The notification cannot be changed now but we will extend all possible cooperation. The government is cooperating fully for functioning of Parliament and that is why we have deployed special buses,” the Transport Minister further said.
Adding that while the Delhi government was in favour of “fully cooperating” and facilitating their commuting needs, those violating odd even rules would be prosecuted.
“The rules are same for all and MPs are also covered under the odd-even scheme. Those who will intentionally violate it or repeat the mistake will be issued challans. It is an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to set an example by obeying the scheme and show that they also follow the rules like other people,” he said.
While BJP leader Vijay Goel had, on April 15th wilfully broken the Odd Even rule, and had been fined by the traffic police, Mr. Paresh Rawal apologised for his mistake and claimed that he had genuinely forgotten about the rule being in place. "Made a serious blunder by travelling in an odd (sic) numbered car to Parliament. Sorry to Arvindji (Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal) and Delhiites," he tweeted.
Mr. Rawal followed up with another tweet sharing a copy of the Rs. 2,000 fine paid by him to the Delhi Traffic Police captioned “Paid...”
Transport Minister Gopal Rai met the V-P over objections raised by MPs
against the scheme
