Delhi transport associations, on the 19th of September, called for a day long transport strike against the hefty penalties imposed by the new Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR.)
The Indian National Congress (INC) supported the protest by the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the United Front of Transport Associations (UFTA.) Approximately 41 transport unions under the AIMTC and the UFTA participated in the strike.
Shyamlal Gola, the General Secretary of the UFTA, said, “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.”
Auto rickshaw unions, cluster buses, ride hailing services and truckers also supported the transport unions and went on strike.
Although the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and the Delhi Metro are functioning normally, the strike may cause inconvenience to the commuters in Delhi and NCR.
The protest was called after the transport associations repeatedly requested the Central Government to change the laws and relieve the drivers of the heavy penalties, but the Government did not do so.
According to the new Motors Vehicle Act, 2019, for any kind of traffic violations, one has to pay a heavy penalty, starting from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 10,000.
The demands put forth by the transport unions are :
- Reduction in heavy fines after the implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
- Reduction in insurance firms’ liability in cases of accidents by a commercial vehicle.
- To reduce the irrational increase of the income tax rates for heavy goods vehicles.
- Security schemes for commercial drivers and their families.
In wake of the strike, several schools and educational institutions remained closed on the 19th of September, whereas working professionals are struggling to reach their respective offices on time as all the commercial transport services are unavailable.
The strike started around 6:00 A.M., and will continue till 10:00 P.M., on the 19th of September.
The Gujarat Transport Association also put forward its demands with regard to the newly amended Motor Vehicles Act, 2019. If the Government does not fulfil their demands, the Gujarat Transport Association will also call for a strike on the 2nd of October.
Stay tuned for further updates.
