NEW DELHI: The
All India Motor Transport Congress
(AIMTC) on Tuesday said that the implementation of the new hit-and-run law will remain on hold until the next meeting of the
transport body
amid strike by some truckers' associations.
After holding a meeting with Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, AIMTC chief Amrit Lal Madan urged the truck drivers to call off their strike and assured them that the stringent provisions will not be imposed for now.
"You are not just our drivers you are our soldiers...We do not want you to face any inconvenience ... Union home minister Amit Shah has kept the ten years of punishment & fine that was imposed on hold. Until the next meeting of the All India Motor Transport Congress is held, no laws will be imposed," he said.
Meanwhile, the Union home secretary said that before implementing the new laws, there will be a thorough discission with the representatives of the transport body.
"We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives ... the new rule has not been implemented yet ... we all want to say that before implementing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision."
During the meeting, the Centre and the transporters agreed that transport workers will resume their work immediately.
On Tuesday, protests were held in many states on the second day of the strike by some truckers' associations against stricter punishments in the new law on hit-and-run cases.
The strike has threatened to impact the supply of essentials and led to panic buying of fuel in several places.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, set to replace the Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and run away without informing authorities face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
The protesters argue that the new law may discourage drivers and expose them to unjust punishments.
They also expressed concerns about potential mob violence when transporting injured individuals to hospitals.
Private transport operators are calling for the repeal of the law, emphasizing the need for consultations with stakeholders before such significant legislative changes are implemented.
English (US) ·