PANAJI
On the backdrop of increasing instances of two-wheeler riders purchasing and using non-ISI helmets, the meeting of road safety stakeholders has come to a consensus that extensive awareness among bike riders and consumers purchasing ISI mark helmets must be undertaken before enforcement.
The special meeting called by the North Goa District Road Safety Committee was held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall Directorate of Transport Panaji.
The meeting was specially called to discuss the need to tackle the sale of non-ISI helmets, fake helmets and consumer protection.
The meeting which was chaired by B A Sawant, Deputy Director of Transport (North Go) was attended by Salim M Shaikh DySp Traffic North, Dr Teja Naik consultant DHS, Kavita M Naik Gaunkar Deputy Education Officer, D N Mapari Assistant Controller Legal Metrology, J R De Souza ADT Enforcement North, Sabina N Soares Head Clerk DCSCA, Lorna Fernandes GOACAN Secretary, Nitin Purushan Assistant Controller Legal Metrology and Amol Naik Industries Inspector DITC.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins explained the urgency to deal with issues linked to the sale of ISI mark helmets as many consumers have complained that bills are not being provided, warranty cards are not stamped and in many cases, the sale is done without the packaging thereby the MRP is not displayed.
He briefed the meeting about the Gazette dated November 26, 2020, on the "Helmet for riders of Two Wheelers Motor Vehicles (Quality Control) Order 2020" and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways & Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) initiative to make the ISI mark helmets compulsory. He appealed to all the officials to prepare for the enforcement by being proactive in creating awareness among all concerned in their respective departments and to identify the challenges that they will face at the enforcement stage.
After discussion, it was decided to focus on awareness on October 14, World Standards Day and the forthcoming Goa State Road Safety Week 2021. Posters and leaflets prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards were provided to all the participating officials as a first step to conduct awareness on the ISI mark provided to helmets.
