Union Home Secretary said the strike is over, hit and run law will not be implemented yet
The path is clear for the end of the truck drivers’ strike against the new law regarding ‘hit-and-run’. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a meeting with officials of All India Motor Transport Congress on Tuesday. After the meeting he said that the new law has not yet been implemented. Before implementing Section 106/2 of the Indian Judicial Code, people of All India Motor Transport Congress will be talked to. Only after that the decision will be taken. The government has issued a circular appealing to all drivers to return to their work. All India Motor Transport Congress has also called upon all drivers to end the strike. Truck, bus and tanker operators on Monday began a three-day strike against the stringent provision of jail and fine under the new criminal law Indian Justice Code (BNS) for ‘hit-and-run’ cases. Nearly 2,000 petrol pumps in North and West India ran out of fuel as the strike entered its second day on Tuesday.
The BNS has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC). There is a provision that drivers who cause serious road accidents by negligent driving and run away without informing any police or administration official can be punished with imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs seven lakh.
Bal Malkit Singh, former president of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and chairman of the core committee, reacted after the meeting with the Home Secretary. He said, ‘The drivers are members of our family. We had written a letter to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on December 28 itself, informing them about the concerns and fear of the drivers. It was also told what harm could be caused if this law is implemented. How will the country be affected? However, the government did not take cognizance on time and what was feared happened from the 1st. Today we were called for a meeting in the Home Ministry at 7 o’clock. We had a meeting under the chairmanship of Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in which all the issues were discussed. We inform you that the law of 10 years imprisonment and fine under Section 106(20) has not yet been implemented. We give you full assurance that these laws will not be implemented. You don’t need to worry. We believe in dialogue. Its solution has been found only through dialogue.
Agreement reached between government and transporters
After a meeting with the All India Motor Transport Congress, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the government and transporters have agreed that transport workers will resume their work immediately. He said, ‘We discussed with the representatives of All India Transport Congress today. The government wants to point out that the new laws and provisions have not yet been implemented. We also want to say that before invoking Section 106(2) of the Indian Judicial Code, the decision will be taken only after consultation with the All India Transport Congress.
A statement was issued after the successful meeting of All India Motor Transport Congress representatives with Home Ministry officials. It said the government took cognizance of drivers’ concerns regarding the punishment and fine provisions in Section 106/2 of the BNS. There was a detailed discussion regarding this with the representatives of All India Motor Transport Congress. The government wants to state that these new laws and provisions have not been implemented. Before implementing these, talks will be held with All India Motor Transport Congress.
Politics also became heated over the strike
Earlier, Congress supported the truck drivers protesting against the provision of strict punishment in ‘hit-and-run’ cases. The party said misuse of the law could lead to ‘extortion mechanisms’ and ‘organized corruption’. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the central government of ‘punishing the poor’ by stopping investment in the infrastructure sector. At the same time, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that when more than 150 MPs were suspended, the Modi government in Parliament made a law against the drivers, the backbone of the Indian economy, which could have ‘fatal consequences’.
