Odisha’s school and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Das and Balasore MLA Swarup Kumar Das were fined Rs 1,000 for violating traffic rules on Saturday.

The minister, who was on a tour of Balasore to inspect schools in the district, was riding pillion on MLA Das’s motorcycle.

They were caught by a traffic police near Hemakpada chhak in Balasore town for not wearing helmets.

Later, the MLA turned up at the police station and deposited the fine.

“We were in a hurry for school inspection. We decided not to go by car and reached the school on a motorcycle. In a hurry, we forgot to wear helmets. But being law-abiding citizens, we realised our mistake and I deposited the fine at the police station,” MLA Das said.

The challan was issued in the name of Pankaj Agarwal, the owner of the bike and a supporter of the MLA, but Das paid the money as he was riding the vehicle.

Minister Das also admitted his mistake and expressed regret. “We have decided to visit schools across the state to see their condition and ensure that the students get the right kind of education. We were in a hurry and committed the mistake. We paid the fine as per the law.”

The minister added: “During the inspection of a school, I found that the standard of education has deteriorated. Class III students were unable to recite multiplication tables. We have asked the teachers to ensure that the students learn the tables up to 15 at least. A show-cause notice was issued to the school headmistress.”