Truck drivers' association ends strike after talks with Home Ministry

Truck drivers' on strike in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai, in opposition to the new hit-and-run law

The strike called by truck drivers' association has been called off, following a meeting held between the representatives of the association and Union home ministry officials in New Delhi on January 2, CNN News-18 reported.

The new rule on negligent driving has not been implemented yet, the government said after meeting with members of the All India Motor Transport Congress, which has been leading the agitation.

"We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives, govt want to say that the new 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," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said.

Amrit Lal Madan, the president of the truckers' body, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has agreed to out the new hit-and-run law -- which triggered the truck drivers' strike -- on hold.

"Amit Shah has kept the 10 years of punishment and fine that was imposed, on hold. Until the next meeting of the All India Motor Transport Congress is held no laws will be imposed," he said.

The home ministry, in a statement issued following the meeting, reiterated that a decision to invoke the new hit-and-run law will be taken "only after consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress".

"We appeal to All India Motor Transport Congress and all the drivers to return to their respective jobs," it added.

Around 2,000 petrol pumps, mostly in western and northern India, ran out of fuel stocks as the strike by some truckers’ associations entered the second day on January 2.

While state-owned oil firms had topped up tanks at most petrol pumps across the country in anticipation of the truckers’ strike, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock due to heavy rush, industry officials said.

Essential supplies of vegetables, fruits and milk too were feared to get affected if the three-day strike was extended or a pan-India movement was launched. Some truck, bus and tanker operators began a three-day strike on January 1 against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the new criminal law Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases.

The new law

Under the BNS, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, a provision was included that provides for a jail of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for serious road accidents due to negligent driving and where drivers run away without informing the police.

Truckers said most truck drivers choose to run away even in minor accidents as they otherwise will have to face mob justice and risk of life.

While the mobs typically go unpunished, to impose stringent punishment on drivers was unfair, they argued.

With PTI inputs