Representatives of various transport associations have strongly protested over the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014.
They have demanded its withdrawal.
Representatives of All India Road Transport Workers Federation, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Association, Vellore District Auto Thozhilalargal Sangam and Vellore District Road Transport Workers Association took out a vehicle campaign from Walajah to Tirupattur on Tuesday.
This bill has nearly 1,380 rules.
The representatives said the proposed bill paved way to privatising the public transport system and took away the rights of the State government. If this bill was tabled in the winter session of the Parliament, then the existing Motor Vehicles Act 1988 will cease to exist.
If this bill is enforced:
- The right to issue driving licenses and fitness certificates would be handed over to private agencies. The bill proposes to fine drivers Rs. 2,500 to Rs. three lakh or up to seven years imprisonment for causing accidents or violating rules (without putting in place proper road facilities,).
- If government buses are privatised, then the free bus pass scheme for students, differently-abled persons and freedom fighters will turn into question marks.
- People will have to spend more on public transport and small owners of autos, vans, cabs and load vehicles will then be affected.
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