Delhi Transport Strike Today, Many Schools To Stay Closed: 10 Points

Delhi transport strike: A large number of autos, cabs and buses could go off the roads.

Highlights

Many auto rickshaws, private buses, Ola and Uber cabs may stay off roads
Transport bodies said strike was against the amended Motor Vehicle Act
The new law has brought about a steep hike in traffic fines

New Delhi: Several schools will be closed in Delhi on Thursday and commuters could face problems because of a one-day transport strike called against the steep hike in traffic fines. Transport bodies said the "token strike" was against the amended Motor Vehicle (MV) Act. The strike has been called by the United Front of Transport Associations or UFTA which represents 41 associations and unions of goods and passenger segments including trucks, buses, autos and taxis in the Delhi NCR region, news agency PTI reported.

Here are the top 10 points in this story:

The strike could take a large number of auto rickshaws, taxis, Ola and Uber cabs, private buses off the roads.
Many parents received messages from schools informing them that educational institutes will be closed on Thursday.
"Most of the schools have announced off due to strike of transporters and preparatory leave of ongoing exams," a representative for an association of private schools told news agency PTI.
Transport unions blamed both the centre and the Delhi government for strike. The sector is passing through its worst phase because of "rising economic uncertainties, exorbitant taxes and penalties and corruption", they said.
"We have been seeking redressal of our grievances related to the new MV Act from both the centre and the Delhi government for the last 15 days, but no solution is there is sight forcing us to go on one-day strike," UFTA general secretary Shyamlal Gola told news agency PTI.
"The exorbitant and unviable penalties imposed through the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 has increased the corruption, high handedness and harassment of vehicle owners and drivers," Shyamlal Gola said.
The federation leaders demanded withdrawing of the provisions of the amended act such as steeply hiked penalties and limiting liability of insurer to Rs 5 lakh. They also demanded perks such as insurance and medical facilities, and an increase in free parking times at airports and train stations.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, which came into effect on September 1, made several changes to traffic fines, toughening the penalty for violations like not wearing a seat belt, jumping red light and drunk driving.
Driving without a seat-belt can now invite a fine of Rs. 1,000, which was earlier Rs 100. Use of mobile while driving can invite a fine between Rs. 1,000-5,000. For drunk driving, the fine has been hiked from Rs. 2,000 to Rs 10,000.
However, many states have resisted the amended Motor Vehicles Act and refused to enforce the fines. BJP-ruled Gujarat was the first to slash the fines, some to as low as 10 per cent of the amount in the new rules.