The Jharkhand government has given a three-month breather to its people from the steep fines imposed under the amended Motor Vehicles Act, and said old penalties would be applicable for traffic rule violations till December.

The government has asked officials of the transport and traffic departments to raise awareness on the amended rules during this period, an official statement said in Ranchi on Saturday.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das, during a review meeting on Friday, directed the transport department to open facilitation centres across the state to enable people get their documents in order in the next three months, it said.

 Das also urged people to abide by the traffic rules and refrain from rash driving, the statement added.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Gujarat slashed traffic fines under new MV Act.   -- with inputs from PTI