New Delhi/Patna: Drivers of truck, bus, cab and auto-rickshaws, who went on a three-day token strike on January 1, protesting the new provisions in the recently passed Bhartiya Nyay Sahita (BNS) Act, called off their stir after the Union home ministry agreed to review them.
After meeting with the delegation of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) later in the day, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla assured that the stringent provisions of the new law had not be enforced yet. He said that the government had taken note of the concerns of the drivers with regard to penal provisions stipulated under section 106 (2) of the BNS Act. “The government will decide on implementation of the act after consultation of the AIMTC delegates,” said Bhalla, while urging the drivers to resume to their works.
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The strike had begun to take its toll on supply chains, compelling the authorities in various states to review the situation. Drivers in many states had put up blockades at important national highways to lodge their protests. The strike had also led to panic buying of essential commodities and petroleum products in many cities, while prices of vegetables and other essential goods had begun to soar.
The new law provisions stipulates increased penalties for hit-and-run cases, causing concerns among truckers. The protests impact fuel supply and raise fears of disruptions in fruit and vegetable supply chains. Despite improved infrastructure, road accidents remain a significant issue, with over 4.6 lakh accidents and 1,68,491 deaths reported in 2022. Balancing improved roads with responsible driving is crucial for addressing this challenge.
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Bihar Motor Transport Federation (BMTF) president Uday Shankar Prasad Singh said that the new law affects one and all, be they professional drivers or individual persons driving their own bikes or cars. “Initially, the strike was for three-days. But the drivers have decided to resume their strike call from February 1 if the Central government did not take concrete steps to withdraw the harsh provisions of the law,” said Singh
