STAFF REPORTER / NEW DELHI
The Rajya Sabha today passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with some amendments. The bill was passed with 108 members voting in favour of the bill and 13 against. The bill will be again sent to the Lok Sabha for approval as it was passed with Amendments.
The bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety. Provisions related to increasing penalties of traffic violations, addressing issues on third-party insurance, regulation of cab aggregators and road safety are proposed in the amendment.
The Bill proposes a scheme to allow cashless treatment of victims in a road accident during the golden hour.
The golden hour is defined as the time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.
The Bill proposes to increase the minimum compensation for hit and run cases. In case of the death, the compensation has been raised from 25 thousand to two lakh rupees, and in case of grievous injury, it will be from 12 thousand 500 to 50 thousand rupees.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Mr Gadkari made it clear that the legislation will no way encroach the rights of the States regarding their own Act.
He said, the government will open motor driving training schools to impart skill trainings to drivers. He also said that the government will give one crore rupees grant to those who want to open such training schools.
Earlier, moving the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the legislation will improve road safety and usher in the use of more technology to regulate traffic.
He said, it is a matter of concern that around 1.50 lakh people die and 5 lakh people injured annually in road accidents.
He appreciated the measures taken by Tamil Nadu Government in reducing the number of accidents by 29 per cent in the last two years and the Centre will adopt the Tamil Nadu model in reducing the accidents across the country. Members from various political parties including Congress, AIADMK, CPI(M) and Shiv Sena participated in the discussion.