Nationwide Transport Strike Opposing Motor Vehicles Act Begins In Many States

All India Motor Transport organisation has called a 24-hour nationwide motor vehicle strike starting from today in several states. The strike was called to protest against the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act by the government. The strike is going to affect the transport on a large scare as all the private buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws are likely to take part in the strike. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has also extended its support to the transport strike, which is likely to affect normal life on Tuesday.

The proposed Motor Vehicle (MV) Amendment Bill has been passed by the Lok Rabha and is pending approval in the Rajya Sabha. If passed in the Parliament, the Motor Vehicle Act Bill will allow the Central government to take away certain powers of the state government and bring wide spread changes in the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988. It will also lead to heavy penalties and stricter rules.

In Kerala, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KRCTC) will take out a token strike along with the motor vehicle strike. The decision was taken when talks between corporation employees’ joint union committee and CMD Tomin Thachankary on Monday failed to reach an agreement on various issues.

In Andhra Pradesh, TSRTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation) buses and autos are supporting the Motor vehicle strike and will halt their services. All the unions in TSRTC, auto unions, drivers’ association have supported the strike call given by the All-India Coordination Committee of Road Transport Workers Organisations.

In Karnataka, some taxi driver unions and cab unions have decided to stay off road from 6 am to 6 pm. However, unions like Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association and Federation Karnataka Taxi Drivers’ Associations said the vehicles by its members will continue to ply.