Edited by Deepali Verma
The truck drivers’ association has called off the strike, post the meeting held between the representatives of the association and Union home ministry officials in New Delhi on January 2, CNN News-18 reported. The new rule on negligent driving is yet to be implemented, the government remarked after the meeting with members of the All India Motor Transport Congress, who have been leading the agitation.
“There was a discussion with the All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, the government said that the new rule has not been implemented yet. We all want to say that we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2 and only then we will take a decision,” Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said.
The president of the truckers’ body, Amrit Lal Madan, in conversation spoke that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in agreement to put the new hit-and-run law — which triggered the truck drivers’ strike — on hold.
“Amit Shah has decided to keep the 10 years of punishment and fine that was imposed on hold. Till the next meeting of the All India Motor Transport Congress is held no laws will be imposed,” he said.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the home ministry reiterated that a decision to invoke the new hit-and-run law will be taken “only after due consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress”.
“We appeal to All India Motor Transport Congress and all the protesting drivers to return to their respective jobs,” it added.
Close to 2,000 petrol pumps, mostly in western and northern Bharat, were out of fuel stocks as the strike by some truckers’ associations entered the second day on January 2.
Most state-owned oil firms had topped up tanks at petrol pumps across the country anticipating the truckers’ strike. However, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock because of heavy rush, pointed out the industry officials.
The new law
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, a provision was introduced that provides for a jail of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for serious road accidents caused as a result of negligent driving, where the drivers run away without informing the police.
Truckers said that most of the truck drivers choose to run away even in minor accidents as they otherwise will have to face mob justice and risk their lives. The mobs typically go unpunished, but to impose stringent punishment on drivers is unfair, argued the drivers.
