The Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill, which has several recommendations related to improving the safety on roads, has been further delayed. It may be introduced in the winter session of Parliament. The Road Transport Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, had stated that the Ministry would try to present the Bill in the Monsoon Session.
“In all probability, the new Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill may be introduced in Parliament in the winter session this year,” the Ministry has told the Department related to the Parliamentary Standing Committee which was evaluating the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Bill.
On why the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill, 2007, was delayed till date, the Road Transport Ministry stated that it was in the process of approaching the Cabinet with a revised Bill after taking into account the Standing Committee’s recommendations, when the Road Transport Minister, Mr Nath, said it should be reviewed.
Review of changes
“While considering the proposal, the Minister (Mr Nath) desired to have a relook into the proposed amendments to examine whether these provisions meet the new requirement,” the Ministry stated, according to the report.
Subsequently, the Ministry had set up a committee in October 2009 under the Chairmanship of Mr S. Sundar, former Secretary, Road Transport Ministry. The Committee was supposed to finalise its report by June-end.
The MVA Bill proposed increasing penalties for violations, higher compensation for accident victims, making transporters responsible for overloading, amongst others.
