Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Wednesday held a protest against amendments in Motor Vehicles Act and demanded reduction of hefty fines against traffic violators. Alleging that registered number of vehicles caught violating traffic rules gets uploed on a website, protestors said open use of 'challan' portal was an invasion on privacy of common citizens. 

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IYC protests against Motor Vehicles Act

Under Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on September 1, penalty for driving without insurance has been doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for first-time offenders. It has also gone up four times for second-time offenders to Rs 4,000. IYC said that protest was held to demand reduction in 'challans' amount.

"We demand that 'challan' amount should be reduced. A person who draws a salary of Rs 4,000 cant pay a 'challan' of Rs 10,000 for traffic violation," said Mahima Sharma, one of protestors.

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protest is being held at various spots all across Delhi including outside Transport Minister Nitin Gkari's residence and outside Transport Ministry and inner circle of Connaught Place. "It is especially difficult for us girls. If we are caught violating traffic rules, registered number of vehicle gets uploed on website and anyone can access our personal details," said Jyoti, ar protestor. 

Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Bill came into effect from September 1 and it was approved by President of India.  government has tified 63 clauses that deal with penalties, licences, registration and National Transport Policy, among ors. Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill will tighten ro traffic regulations such as allotment of driving licence and impose stricter penalties for violations in an attempt to improve ro safety. Bill also increases minimum compensation for hit and run cases. In case of death, from Rs 25,000 to two lakh rupees, and in case of grievous injury, from Rs 12,500 to Rs 50,000.

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In dition, Bill also allows Central government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a defect in vehicle may cause dam to environment, or driver, or or ro users. New penalties have been prescribed for carrying of excess passengers, failure to use safety belt and violation of rules in seating of children, violation of safety measures for motorcycle drivers and pillion riders, refusal to stop and submit vehicle for weighing, use of phones in silent zones and failure to allow free pass to emergency vehicles. Besides, new rules enable state governments to designate any person or ncy as enforcement ncy to detect and impose a penalty on overloed vehicles.

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(With PTI Inputs)