The truckers demanded repeal of the new Motor Vehicle Act’s stringent provision of 10 years jail and Rs 7 lakhs fine in hit-and-run accident cases…reports Asian Lite News
Countrywide protests by transporters against the increase in quantum of punishment in hit-and-run cases under the new criminal code ended on Tuesday night after the Centre’s assurance that it will have a discussion with them before implementing the provisions.
Representatives of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) met Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Tuesday. During the meeting Bhalla told them that provisions under the new law has not been notified yet. He also assured them that the ministry will have a discussion with AIMTC before implementing it.
After the assurance that provisions will be discussed before implementation, AIMTC appealed to the drivers to end the strike.
According to AIMTC Chairman Malkit Singh Bal, Section 106 (2) of the new law has a provision of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fine in ‘hit-and-run’ cases. Transporters and truck drivers have been opposing this provision and they have demanded that it should not be implemented.
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Indian Justice Code, Indian Civil Defence Code and Indian Evidence Act and it can be notified before January 26. The Home Ministry says that with this change, a system will be established through which any victim can get justice within 3 years.
The truckers demanded repeal of the new Motor Vehicle Act’s stringent provision of 10 years jail and Rs 7 lakhs fine in hit-and-run accident cases.
As the agitation spread, State Transport buses in some parts of the state were affected with cancellations or rescheduling, though there are sufficient stocks of fuel at most depots, officials assured.
In parts of Nashik, Pune tourist taxis also joined the agitation to support the truckers and sought rollback of the MV Act rules, while local associations of school buses in major cities are likely to join the stir from Wednesday.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) have slammed the Centre over the new rules and demanded that these should be repealed immediately.
The two-day spontaneous protests have hit supplies of petrol-diesel, milk, fruits and vegetables, foodgrains and other essentials to urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and other cities, with fears of shortages and consequently price hikes.
Taking serious note, the state government on Tuesday decided to give police escorts to fuel tankers from the PSU companies’ oil depots to the retail petrol pumps where two policemen shall be stationed to control the massive panicky crowds queuing up for refill.
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