JOIN USOpposing the proposed Road Transport and Safety Act, that is expected to be brought before the Parliament during the forthcoming session, transport workers have decided to observe an one-day strike in the first week of March.
Addressing media here, on Wednesday, KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation general secretary H V Anantha Subbarao said, the Act will prove to be a death knell to the current set up. “The Indian Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, will be revoked and the State controlled RTOs will be closed. It will not just affect the transport corporations and its workers, but also the common man and passengers,” he said.
The proposed Act will facilitate permits to private carriers on nationalised routes, that may phase out 53 transport corporations in future. The permits will be auctioned, forcing the government to compete with private parties for the bid.
Most importantly, in case of violations, the duration of sentence and also fine amount will increase manifold according to the Act in the offing. It will fuel corruption again, he said.
Rao demanded retaining of the right to levey motor tax with the State governments, revocation of hike in fine amount, retaining of division of state and contract carrier categories among other rules in the existing scenario.