AMN
Several schools will be closed in Delhi and NCR on Thursday and commuters are likely to face problems because of a one-day transport strike called against the steep hike in traffic fines.
Transport bodies said the “token strike” was against the amended Motor Vehicle (MV) Act. The strike has been called by the United Front of Transport Associations or UFTA which represents 41 associations and unions of goods and passenger segments including trucks, buses, autos and taxis in the Delhi NCR region.
United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA) office bearers on Wednesday alleged that both the Centre and the Delhi government is forcing them to go for the strike.
“We have been seeking redressal of our grievances related to the new MV Act from both the Centre and the Delhi government for the last 15 days, but no solution is there is sight forcing us to go on a one-day strike,” said UFTA general secretary Shyamlal Gola.
The UFTA is an umbrella body representing 41 associations and unions of goods and passenger segments including trucks, buses, autos, tempos, maxi-cabs and taxis plying in the Delhi-NCR region.
The strike could take a large number of auto-rickshaws, taxis, Ola and Uber cabs, private buses off the roads.
Many parents received messages from schools informing them that educational institutes will be closed on Thursday.
Transport unions blamed both the centre and the Delhi government for strike. The sector is passing through its worst phase because of “rising economic uncertainties, exorbitant taxes and penalties and corruption”, they said.
The federation leaders demanded to withdraw of the provisions of the amended act such as steeply hiked penalties and limiting the liability of insurer to Rs. 5 lakh. They also demanded perks such as insurance and medical facilities, and an increase in free parking times at airports and train stations.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, which came into effect on September 1, made several changes to traffic fines, toughening the penalty for violations like not wearing a seat belt, jumping red light and drunk driving.
Driving without a seat-belt can now invite a fine of Rs. 1,000, which was earlier Rs. 100. Use of mobile while driving can invite a fine between Rs. 1,000-5,000. For drunk driving, the fine has been hiked from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 10,000.
However, many states have resisted the amended Motor Vehicles Act and refused to enforce the fines. BJP-ruled Gujarat was the first to slash the fines, some to as low as 10 per cent of the amount in the new rules.