Hit And Run: Strike ends, confusion begins, govt to hold discussions

On Wednesday morning, the country's citizens breathed a sigh of relief as the transport drivers' strike ended. The strike had been ongoing for the previous two days in protest against the new Hit and Run law. In a press briefing, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla made the announcement,

“" We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, govt want to say that the new hit and run rule has not been implemented yet, we all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision"

Transportation has regained pace following the cessation of the strike, enabling an uninterrupted supply of milk and vegetables. This has brought respite to the public. 

Hit And Run Law: Did transport drivers get relief?

Ramesh Parmar, a Solan, Himachal Pradesh resident, is still confused. The government has not given a guarantee that this Hit and Run law will not be implemented in the future. In such a situation, the future of truck drivers like Parmar is still unclear. Parmar says,

“This is a draconian law which the government should withdraw.”

Parmar's monthly salary is ₹7,000. He earns less than ₹ 1 lakh in a year. Also, staying away from home for a week or more affects his family dynamics.

Bittu, another truck driver from Ballabhgarh, says,

“We stay out of the house 26 days a month. There are only 4 days when we are able to meet our children.”

Bittu says that the entire burden of raising the children of these drivers falls on their wives i.e. mothers. He says, “Children forget their father in a way.”

Impact on children

Truck drivers gathered in Bhopal's Transport Nagar say that their profession negatively impacts their children's education and development. Their paltry wages prevent them from sending their kids to reputable private schools. One driver emphasised this by noting that his 14-year-old son is compelled to work to sustain the household, as his salary can't sustain the house. He says, “What will he study now, he will remain illiterate.” Apart from this, drivers tell us that even to marry their children, they have to take loans. Even in their lifetime, they do not have enough savings to marry their children with pomp and show.

What is the benefit of insurance?

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, it is mandatory to get insurance for all vehicles on the road. But the question is that if during an accident the entire burden falls on the driver, then what benefit does the driver get from the insurance? Giving his reaction to this, insurance consultant Virendra Aggarwal says,

“If any motor owner takes third party insurance, then in case of an accident, the company bears all the health expenses of the person the vehicle hits.”

He further explains that in case of the death of the driver due to third-party insurance, the amount is also claimed for him.

“After the accident, the owner will inform the company that his driver has died on the spot. After this, the fixed amount as per the premium is given into the account of the owner or driver on the instructions of the court.”

Bittu, another driver in Bhopal, says that in case of the death of drivers in an accident, the owners can claim up to ₹15 lakh. This also includes the money given to the driver. But according to him, most of the time “the owners eat (embezzle) this money.”

Ramesh Parmar asks, when the government takes money to make the license, takes road tax and the insurance company also takes money from them in the form of premium, but at the time of an accident, if they have to pay all the money, then 'what is the use of license and insurance?'

Looming confusion

Although truck drivers have now resumed their duties, Parmar believes that the government should think further as such immense hit-and-run fines are unaffordable for any driver.

“Accidents happen by accident. No driver wants to intentionally kill anyone. In such a situation, such a harsh punishment is injustice"

Bittu is calling on the government to retract the Hit and Run law, while Parmar suggests that the government should ensure proper education for the drivers' children and mandate transport owners to increase their wages.

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