The strike of truck drivers and transporters across the country is having a big impact in protest against the new provisions of the law in the Hit and Run case. In many states across the country including Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, roads were blocked in protest against the strictness of the hit and run law, due to which the supply of petrol-diesel, milk, fruits-vegetables and other goods is being affected.
Initially, some transporters had described the strike as spontaneous and said that the movement had become bigger due to the campaign run on social media. Later, the name of All India Motor Transport Congress, which was opposing the tightening of hit and run law, came to light. The organization has called a meeting of transporters from across the country in which the future strategy will be decided.
Seeing the seriousness of the matter, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla will hold a meeting with All India Motor Transport Congress and discuss this issue.
Fear of rising inflation
There is also a possibility of temporary increase in inflation due to supply of goods being affected due to strikes and road jams. There is jam on the roads of many states due to the truck strike. Maharashtra Food, Supplies and Consumer Protection Department has requested the police to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel and LPG in the market is not affected.
Happy Sidhu, member of All Punjab Truck Operators’ Union, says that there will be a big impact due to the disruption of major routes like Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway due to the strike. At the same time, in many states, truck drivers are also carrying out violent protests like arson, due to which there are long queues of vehicles on national and state highways.
Impact on business worth Rs 450 crore!
According to the transport body, if one day strike of trucks is expected to impact business worth Rs 150 crore, then a three-day strike could impact business worth Rs 450 crore.
According to NDTV report, due to the strike there has been a shortage of petrol and diesel in many cities of the country. There is a long line of people standing outside the petrol pumps to get petrol. According to the Petrol Pump Association, the impact of the 3-day strike can be widespread. If the strike continues, the stock of petrol pumps may run out.
Limit fixed amid petrol shortage!
In view of the increasing shortage of petrol and diesel in Chandigarh, the district administration has fixed the purchase limit for vehicles with immediate effect. For two-wheelers i.e. bikes, the limit for purchasing petrol worth 2 liters or Rs 200 has been set, while for four-wheelers the limit for purchasing petrol has been set at 5 liters or Rs 500. According to the DM of Chandigarh, this decision has been taken so that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the district and there is no competition among the public.
What does the new law say in hit and run case?
In the Indian Judicial Code (BNS) passed by the Parliament, special provisions have been made for the punishment of ‘death by negligence’ in a hit and run case.
- If someone dies due to the driver’s rash or negligent driving and the driver runs away without informing the police or administration, then he may have to pay a prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of Rs 7 lakh.
- Earlier, in hit and run cases, cases were registered under IPC sections 279 (reckless driving), after identification of the driver, 304A (causing death by negligence) and 338 (endangering life).
- There was a provision for punishment of up to two years in the old law. In such cases, it was often seen that after the accident, the drivers ran away with the vehicle or left the vehicle behind.
- Under the new law, a police case will be registered under Section 104(2) of the Indian Judicial Code. For not giving information to the police or judge, a provision has been made for 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh.
Why are truck drivers and unions protesting?
Truck drivers argue that sometimes accidents happen even if they are not negligent. If you remain at the spot after the accident, you may have to face the anger of the crowd. He says that no person intentionally causes accidents.
Some truck drivers of Ghazipur said, ‘Especially in winter, fog is also a big reason. Drivers say that after the accident, the drivers run away due to fear of the local people. Also, they are afraid of the legal route because of the long process.
Now what next?
All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) says that according to the new law, the provisions of punishment may lead to harassment of truck drivers. The union urged the government and officials to reconsider the implementation of the new law.
Maharashtra Road Transport Association President Baba Shinde says that the government will have to change its stand. Speaking to NDTV, Shinde said, ‘There is already a shortage of 30% drivers in the country. The new law of hit and run has caused a lot of anger among the drivers.
Baba Shinde said that All India Motor Transport Congress has called a meeting of transporters from across the country in which the future strategy will be decided. The government will have to withdraw its decision, otherwise there can be a big impact on the transport industry.
Meanwhile, the central government decided to hold a meeting with the union. The issue is expected to be resolved through talks between the Union Home Secretary and the Sangh.
Where is the problem in the law?
Criminal law specialist and advocate Sonali Kishore said while talking to NDTV Profit Hindi, ‘5 times increase in punishment and heavy fines are the major reasons behind the fear in the minds of truck drivers. Earlier there was a provision of 2 years’ imprisonment or fine for culpable homicide under Section 304-A of IPC and now under Section 106 of BNS, there is a provision of 10 years’ imprisonment along with a heavy fine of Rs 7 lakh for the same crime.
He said, ‘Generally, bailable sections are imposed in cases with punishment of less than 3 years and under the old law, it was possible to get bail in hit and run cases. Now, due to the category of serious crime and the punishment of 10 years, it is not possible to get bail, so this is a big issue for the drivers.
Sonali Kishore also emphasized that the new law has not been notified yet, meaning it is not yet implemented in the country. After the farmers’ movement, all three agricultural laws were withdrawn by the government. In such a situation, drivers are looking at the possibility of finding a solution to this issue through dialogue.
