Two-wheeler mechanics observe a fast

Withdraw the Road Transport and Safety Bill-2014, they say

Two-wheeler mechanics observe a fast in Krishnagiri on Wednesday.– Photo: N. Bashkaran

About 400 two-wheeler mechanics observed a fast on Wednesday demanding that the Road Transport and Safety Bill 2014 be withdrawn.

Speakers condemned the Union Government complaining that the Bill reflected its intention to subject common man to intense sufferings.

The requirement for all two-wheeler owners, irrespective of their driving experience, to secure new driving licence within two years was impractical. Privatisation of licence issuance coupled with the need to write an examination to obtain learners licence would lead to unsavoury situations, the speakers said.

Privatisation of fitness certificate issuance, the compulsion to purchase original spares only from company dealers, letting of transport permits on auction basis, and heavy fines for altering of vehicle design, wrong parking, jumping of lanes, and the provision in the Bill for one year imprisonment for those responsible for accidents resulting in deaths would make the life of common man miserable, they said.

Salem

Stating that the proposed Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 would affect the livelihood of lakh of mechanics, over 1,500 members of Salem District Motor Vehicles Repairers’ Welfare Association and Salem District Two-wheeler Vehicles Repairers’ Welfare Association observed a fast near the Collectorate here on Wednesday.

They said that the proposed ordinance would pave way for privatising the works carried out by regional road transport offices, including issuance of licenses, vehicle certificates, and registration.

According to the ordinance no roadside workshops should function, and vehicle owners have to approach only the company outlets for carrying out repair works.

The ordinance paves way for levying huge fine for traffic violations. The ordinance helps in privatising the entire transport system that benefits only big companies across the country, they added.

“There is no welfare board or assistance or concession for us. Hence, the Union Government should consider our plea and make necessary amendments to the ordinance,” they said.