Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners’ Association State general secretary Y.V. Eeswara Rao has urged various drivers and workers’ associations in the road transport sector in the state to refrain from conducting protests regarding the increase of punishment and fines under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita by the Centre.
In a statement, Mr. Eswara Rao mentioned that the Union government had taken note of the concerns of truckers about the provision of 10 years imprisonment and fines under Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The government held a detailed discussion with the representatives of the All-India Motor Transport Congress and assured them that the issue would be kept on hold.
Mr. Rao also stated that the government assured that the decision to invoke Section 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita would only be made after consulting with the All India Motor Transport Congress.
Regarding a protest call by the south zone unit of the All-India Truckers and Drivers Helpline (AITDH) for a “steering down” protest from the night of January 17, Mr. Rao appealed to the representatives of such organizations not to proceed with their proposed protests and to unite under the national-level organization to strengthen its hands.
The recently enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita introduces strict penalties for hit-and-run incidents in the country. The law specifies that an individual causing a fatal crash and fleeing the scene without reporting to authorities could face imprisonment for up to 10 years along with a substantial fine, marking a significant departure from the previous Indian Penal Code (IPC) where the punishment for such offenses was limited to a two-year imprisonment.