Children need parental care not cars, love not scooters: Div Com Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 19: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Tuesday put forth a passionate appeal to the parents urging them not to give cars and two-wheelers to their under-age children.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Bidhuri said that the children were the future and should be given utmost love and care.

“A few days ago we saw the tragic accident near Tengpora. Such episodes should not happen again. Children are our future and we should prioritise their well-being. My request to the parents is not to give their children cars and scooters but instead give them love and care,” he said.

He said that in the Tengpora accident, the Traffic Police had already chalked out an action plan to avoid such episodes on any route.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Tuesday directed the heads of government and private schools besides the coaching centres to restrict the entry for students who drive themselves to the institutions.

In a fresh circular issued here, the DSEK termed the driving of minors as a grave concern and placed the schools and coaching institutes under strict instructions to keep a close vigil to ensure that no student (minor) is allowed to attend the institution while driving any motor vehicle, including two-wheelers or four-wheelers.

“The heads of the institutions should strictly enforce the orders by disallowing the entry to any student arriving at schools or coaching centres by driving their vehicles or riding two-wheelers,” the circular reads.

It reads that the parents and guardians should be informed about this directive and their responsibility to ensure compliance.

The DSEK also directed the educational institutes to conduct awareness campaigns in this regard besides activating all Road Safety and School Safety clubs in schools to raise awareness through IEC activities in schools.

“Schools should organise awareness programmes in collaboration with the Traffic Police to educate students and parents about the dangers of underage driving and the legal consequences as per the Motor Vehicles Act,” it reads.

The DSEK instructed the school heads to conduct Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTM) to highlight the risks to public safety posed by minors operating motor vehicles.

“Issue advisories to parents and guardians, emphasising their legal accountability for allowing minors to drive and the serious consequences of non-compliance,” the circular reads.

The heads of the schools have been warned of the appropriate legal action in case of any dereliction in compliance with the instructions.

“Institutions found violating this directive will face withdrawal of recognition or cancellation of registration as per the applicable regulations and stringent action will be initiated against the heads of institutions and staff,” the DSEK circular reads.

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