Transport strike in TN partially successful

The strike, which was partially successful in many parts of the State as the private buses, trucks and autorickshaws stayed off the roads.

Various trade unions across the State organised a one-day strike on Thursday against the provisions of the ‘Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014’ putting several thousands of commuters to hardship.

The strike, which was partially successful in many parts of the State as the private buses, trucks and autorickshaws stayed off the roads, was called by the trade unions as they feared the proposed Bill could affect lakhs of road transport workers and vehicle users.

Not just the road users, the transport department staff themselves were apprehensive about the proposed Bill and transport department activities came to a halt at many places in the State on Thursday.

Involving MNC

Senior officials in the Transport Department apprehend that the Bill envisaged formation of the National Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation Authority, a body which in all likelihood would involve an MNC for outsourcing functions such as issue of licences, fitness certificates and even permits.

 Under such circumstances, the future of State Transport Department and State Transport Undertakings remains uncertain, a senior official said.

Pittance for State

At present, the State Transport Department nets Rs 4,650 crore plus revenue per annum by way of fee, penalty and compounding fee and this revenue might get diverted to the Union exchequer and State might end up getting pittance as its share, say officials.

 The authority would not only advise the States but will also have the power to enforce the provisions of the new Act and the passage of the Bill would turn the existing Central Motor Vehicle Rules and Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rues obsolete, transport officials claim.

Transport operators especially truck operators and autorickshaws find the revised penalty for various road rule violations on the higher side questioning the viability of their industry. In addition, the corporate culture that is expected to come along with the Road Safety Bill might end up throwing the flood gates open for affluent people living elsewhere to avail of permit in any part of the country.

However, those in favour of the Bill argued that the objective of the legislation was to bring down accidents and transparency in process of licence and permits and improve standards of motor vehicles for greener and safer environment.