The Madurai Bench of the High Court of Madras has refused to stay the State’s subsidized Scooter scheme but directed the State to ensure that the beneficiaries are made to invariably purchase a branded helmet for use while driving the same.

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition was earlier filed with the Court which said that the subsidized scooter scheme announced by the State would make the exchequer poorer by Rs.250 crores annually to give 50% of the cost of scooter (scooty) to working women.  “As the State’s economic situation doesn’t allow the luxury of spending money at will, the scheme should be stayed till the situation stabilizes,” the petition said.

It also requested the Court to restrain the State from implementing ‘schemes with freebies’ till the fiscal situation is brought under manageable limits.  Taking up the petition, a Bench comprising Justice M. Sathyanarayanan and Justice R. Hemalatha said that welfare schemes are Govt.’s policy-related issues in which the Court can’t interfere and disposed the petition.

The Bench, however, said that it should be made mandatory for all beneficiaries to acquire branded helmets prior to getting vehicles under the scheme.  “Most of the accidents result in casualties in the absence of helmet; thus, it should be made mandatory to check that the beneficiary keeps a branded helmet with her before she is provided the subsidize scooter,” the Bench directed the State.