An important occurrence took place as the nation-wide protests carried out by transporters regarding tough penalties for hit-and-run incidents, as asserted in an upcoming criminal code, came to an end on Tuesday night. The Centre assured that it would engage with relevant parties before implementing these provisions which resulted in the conclusion of these protests. During a crucial meeting, delegates from All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) held discussions with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.
The AIMTC representatives were informed by Union Home Secretary Bhalla that the new law's provisions had not been officially notified yet. Additionally, he provided them with assurance that prior to implementing any components of the legislation, discussions with AIMTC would be conducted. This promise for pre-implementation consultations was a significant milestone which caused AIMTC to urge striking drivers to end their protest.
As per Malkit Singh Bal, the Chairman of AIMTC, there is a controversial clause in the latest legislation - Section 106 (2) - that imposes severe penalties including up to ten years imprisonment and monetary fines on those involved in hit-and-run cases. Trucking companies and drivers are strongly against this provision as they believe it will be excessively punitive. The protesters have demanded for non-enforcement of Section 106 (2).
Recently, President Droupadi Murmu approved the Indian Justice Code, Indian Civil Defence Code and Indian Evidence Act. These developments are set against this backdrop as it is expected that these statutes will soon be officially declared before January 26th. The Home Ministry has stated that the proposed modifications have been designed to establish a more effective system which can provide justice to victims of such incidents in just three years through a streamlined process.
While the country awaits updates, discussions prior to implementation have brought about a temporary solution to the dispute between transporters and the government. This has avoided possible disturbances in transportation operations. The situation highlights how crucial it is to strike a balance between strict legal measures and attention given towards concerns of important parties within this industry.
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