TN: CITU Halts Vehicles for 15 Minutes to Protest Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act
At the protest in Thuckalay, Kanyakumari. Image courtesy: Neelambaran A
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Tamil Nadu, held an innovative protest across the state on February 28. Workers stopped vehicle movement at noon for 15 minutes against the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019.
The protestors were forcefully dragged away by the police in many places and were detained.
The CITU condemned the Amendments stating they would increase corruption and bribery and pave the way for more corporatisation in auto and taxi transportation.
“Nearly 70% of the autos running on the roads of Chennai were purchased many years ago for around Rs 35,000. But auto drivers can now be fined up to Rs 40,000. If the fine is above the cost of the auto, will the driver dump the vehicle or pay the fine?” asked Balasubramanian, general secretary, Auto Sammelanam, talking to NewsClick.
CITU demanded the Tamil Nadu government not to implement the Amendments while urging the Centre to withdraw them.
“These amendments brought about by the Modi-led BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government in the Centre were not implemented in Gujarat. There is a clause in the Act that gives states the right to decide whether to implement the provisions or not. Yet the Tamil Nadu government is implementing it,” he said.
‘AMENDMENTS ABSURD’
The MV (Amendment) Act 2019 enhances penalties by 100%. It allows for spot fines of up to Rs 50,000, which can be increased by 10% each year.
“License renewal costs only Rs 450, but the fine for not renewing on time is Rs 5,000. Similarly, the fine for not having permits is Rs 5,000, while we can get permits at Rs 500,” said Balasubramanian.
“Online fines are banned by the high court, yet they are being implemented,” he added.
“Don’t loot thousands of rupees in the name of online fines, and don’t slap enormous amounts in the name of overloading,” read the statement released by Tamil Nadu State Transport Workers Union.
As an example, it mentioned that a truck carrying 1,300 kgs of onion was fined Rs 26,000.
At the protest in Royapettai, Chennai. Image courtest: CITU, Tamil Nadu
"The Act permits insurance companies to have a minimum seal of Rs 5 lakh for an auto. The auto driver may take it or pay the fine. In case of an accident, they are not eligible for compensation," said Balasubramanian.
"There are many accidents and road deaths in Tamil Nadu because of poor quality roads and badly maintained traffic signals. The state should focus on these and not on implementing the Centre's Motor Vehicle Act," he said.
OTHER DEMANDS
The protest was also against the petrol, diesel and LPG price hikes.
CITU demanded the state government strengthen public transportation and fund the transport corporations to resolve hurdles.
It asked the government to fix auto and taxi fares and not leave them to the whims of corporate companies.
It also stressed the state to run the Tamil Nadu Unorganised Workers' Welfare Board without any hassles.
The union opposed the Tamil Nadu government's move to privatise the issuance of vehicle fitness certificates and demanded that the state provide them.
The union also demanded a full stop to bribery and corruption in police stations and RTOs.
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