Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to meet AITC representatives at 7 pm today
Ajay Bhalla will hold a meeting with the representatives of All India Transport Congress (AITC) in New Delhi at 7 PM Tuesday amid a nationwide strike of drivers and truckers against the stringent hit-and-run provision under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, news agency ANI reported. Earlier, the hit-and-run cases were filed under various sections of the IPC, with a maximum punishment of two years.
However, under the revised Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita the offence attracts a punishment of up to 10 years for drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent hit-and-run away without informing the police or any official from the administration. As per the new law, the hit-and-run cases can attract a 10-year jail term and a fine of ₹7 lakh.
The protesting truck drivers are against this change. They are claiming that the changed provision would prove draconian for them and discourage more people from choosing their profession as a way to earn livelihoods.
The All India Transporters' Welfare Association (AITWA), the largest trade body representing the transportation and logistics sector, in a statement said, “We have reached out to the Home Ministry, Transport Ministry and other concerned departments but there is no clarity on certain burning issues which are likely to increase the spread of the agitation. We at AITWA understand that the law has several benefits but the few negative points will lead to immense on-ground harassment, extortion, unnecessary detention and judicial consequences." The trucker’s union further informed that bus drivers are also joining the strike against the new laws towards motorists.
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