Minister urges to modify women safety scheme in public road transport
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre

New Delhi, October 28 2014: Reacting on the Scheme for Security for Women in Public Road Transport in the Country which will be funded from 'Nirbhaya Fund' set up by the Ministry of Finance, Manipur Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar drew the attention of the Union Ministry of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping for its modification for implementation of the scheme in small States like Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya etc.

He was speaking at the 15th Meeting of National Road Safety Council and 36th Meeting of Transport Development Council held on Tuesday at NASC Complex, Pusa Road here.

He said that the objective of the Scheme was to provide safe and secure public road transport to the people, particularly women and girl child of the country, for which an integrated system at the National level and State level was to be set up.

The system would include emergency buttons in vehicles, GPS tracking of the location of vehicles and video recording of incidents in vehicles in 32 cities of the country with a population of one million or more according to 2011 census.

He pointed out that the scheme would not cover small States like Manipur where the city population is less than one million.

He urged the Union Ministry to modify the scheme so that it can be implemented in the small States of the country.

Dr Ratankumar also reacted on the Scheme for Development of Bus Terminals in Major Urban Centres which would be introduced in the urban areas having population of four million or more and requested the Union Ministry to rectify the scheme for implementation in small States of the country.

He supported the new Motor Vehicles Act/Rules to bring radical changes and modifications in order to meet the new challenges and dimensions, particularly on road safety aspects and stated that Government of Manipur would extend maximum cooperation while implementing it.

The Manipur Transport Minister placed the action taken report on main agenda points of the previous 35th TDC meeting in respect of Manipur.

He said that the State Govt took steps to amend the Manipur Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment ) Act, 2011 adopting the 6% floor rate along with other conditions prescribed by the Union Ministry.

The Manipur Motor Vehicles Taxation (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 had been drafted.

Refering to the Seamless Travels and Adoption of National Permit Scheme in respect of Inter State buses, the Minister stated that the State Government had fully endorsed the new scheme being introduced by the Centre.

He mentioned that there was no case of double or multiple tax being levied within the state.

With regard to overloading, the Minister said, "In compliance with Supreme Court's directive dated 9/11/2005 in WP(C) No.136 of 2003 (Paramjit basin -vs- Union of India & Ors) uni-axle trucks having carrying capacity upto 9 tons are allowed to operate in the State of Manipur and whereas in the case of multi-axle trucks are allowed only upto 15 tons due to restrictions of maximum load bearing capacity as certified by BRO/PWD" .

He stated that three integrated check posts with weighing bridge components had been planned, but it would take time.

He requested the Union Ministry to fund the weigh bridge components on the National Highways running in the State to check the problem of overloading properly.

Coming to the Road Safety measures in Manipur, the Transport Minister stated, "A high level committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to take steps and monitor road safety measures in the State.

Syllabus on road safety has been introduced in the syllabus prescribed by the SCERT and the School Boards are working for introduction of the same.

An intensive and aggressive campaign has been launched through audio and visual media to bring public awareness on road safety aspects" .

He further stated that driving schools had been encouraged in the State to come up for certification to the learners.

A separate Road Safety Fund had been opened by the State Finance Deptt and fund was being provided to take up activities on road safety.

The Minister further said, "A strict regulation in the school buses and vans is being introduced in Manipur for which the Draft Manipur School Vans Sitting Capacity and Colouring Rules, 2014 is being finalised in consultation with the Law Department" .

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