Several schools will be closed in Delhi on Thursday and commuters could 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, news agency PTI reported.
Here are the top 10 points in this story:
1. Many parents received messages from schools informing them that educational institutes will be closed on Thursday.
2. The strike could take a large number of auto rickshaws, taxis, Ola and Uber cabs, private buses off the roads.
3. 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.
4. “Most of the schools have announced off due to strike of transporters and preparatory leave of ongoing exams,” a representative for an association of private schools told news agency PTI.
5. “The exorbitant and unviable penalties imposed through the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 has increased the corruption, high handedness and harassment of vehicle owners and drivers,” Shyamlal Gola said.
6. “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 one-day
strike,” UFTA general secretary Shyamlal Gola told news agency PTI.
7. The federation leaders demanded withdrawing of the provisions of the amended act such as steeply hiked penalties and limiting 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
