10 years jail and ₹ 7 lakh fine, bus-truck drivers took to the streets against hit and run law
At present, bus and truck drivers are on a massive strike in about 8 states of the country including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, UP. Due to the strike, many areas are facing huge problems in supplies, schools, petrol pumps etc. These people are protesting against the strict punishment against hit and run in the new laws. This strike of bus and truck drivers is being led by All India Motor Transport Congress (AITMC). AITMC says that the government’s intentions behind the new law are good but there are many flaws in the law which need to be reconsidered.
Where are the strikes taking place?
For the last three days, bus and truck drivers have been protesting in different states of the country. These include Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, UP, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Punjab. Drivers are on strike and protesting in many parts of these states. At many places, demonstrations have also been held by burning tires by parking vehicles on the road.
Big impact in Maharashtra
The big impact of the truck drivers’ strike is visible in Maharashtra. Petrol and diesel vehicles are not able to reach the pumps. Due to the fear of running out of fuel, panic buying is taking place on a large scale and there are long queues of vehicles at petrol pumps. Due to the large number of vehicles, it takes about an hour to fill petrol and diesel. People are coming from Bhiwandi, Mumbra city to Thane to buy petrol. Fuel vehicles have not arrived at Majiwada petrol pump for the last 2 days. If fuel is not supplied by noon, this petrol pump will also be closed by 4 pm. Many petrol pumps in Thane and its surrounding cities are either closed or there is very little fuel left in these petrol pumps.
School closed in Bhopal
Truck bus driver strike continues in Madhya Pradesh also in protest against hit and run law. The wheels of buses and tracks have stopped in many areas including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior. Due to the strike, transportation and supply of milk and vegetables has also been affected. Due to closure of school vans and buses, a two-day bandh has been declared in all the schools of Bhopal. Due to the prolonged strike and fear of running out of petrol, people are reaching the petrol pumps to fill petrol.
Why is the strike happening?
Actually, transporters and truck drivers have gone on strike against the new hit and run law implemented in the country. After the Indian Judiciary Code was amended by the Central Government in 2023, the new Motor Vehicles Act provides for a jail term of ten years for the truck driver responsible for the accident. Apart from this, a fine of Rs 7 lakh will also be imposed. A three-day strike has been called to demand the repeal of this new law.
