From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 20: Visibly upset by the most vocal criticism against his Government in the social media, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the State Government had no other alternative but to obey the Supreme Court’s order on making wearing of helmets mandatory for two-wheeler drivers, including both the rider and pillion-rider.

"It is totally unfair and unjustified to accuse the Congress government in the State on yielding to the lobby of helmet manufacturers," the Chief Minister said while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Siddaramaiah said he was deeply upset at wild and unfounded allegations in certain sections of the media, especially social media, that the Government had received "huge kickbacks" from helmet manufacturers.

"Blaming the State Government for the decision on compulsory wearing of helmets by the pillion riders as well as drivers "is not correct," he said.

The Chief Minister explained that the State Government would be hauled up the apex court for not following its orders. "We have given sufficient time for the public to procure the helmets," he said.

He said the Supreme Court, while taking strong note that more than 30 per cent of the accident victims, were among the two-wheelers, had made the wearing of helmet for the pillion riders compulsory.

"We are only enforcing the Supreme Court order, otherwise we would have to face contempt of the Apex Court for ignoring the order” the Chief Minister said.

Luxury tax on ICU Withdrawn

In face of stiff disapproval from the public and the medical fraternity, the State Government has withdrawn the controversial eight per cent "luxury tax” on patients treated in Intensive Care Units (ICU) in the state’s hospitals.

The State Government had decided last week that patients being treated in the ICU of any hospital where the charge is more than Rs. 1,000 (which would cover most hospitals) will have to pay an extra 8 per cent as luxury tax under an existing law had never been implemented.

The State Government's rationale was that rules make luxury tax applicable to rooms having air conditioners.

If levied, the luxury tax on ICUs would have brought in an extra revenue of around Rs 15 crore a year.