Opposition doesn't allow introduction of Motor Vehicles Bill in RS

Opposition members did not relent and even Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said there needs to be consensus in the House to take up the matter.

New Delhi, April 11: The Opposition on Tuesday scuttled an attempt by the government to introduce the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, arguing that it was not listed in the day's business.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari tried to justify the urgency of the bill, saying the proposed legislation is important for preventing road accidents. However, the Opposition members did not relent and even Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said there needs to be consensus in the House to take up the matter.

The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Monday. "Five lakh accidents happen in the country every year resulting in the deaths of over 1.5 lakh people. The current law has several lacunae. I request the members to take up this matter," Gadkari said.

He added that four people die every minute in the country due to road mishaps. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, said that since it was not included in today's business list, the bill cannot be taken up. Gadkari said the legislation has been drafted taking into confidence various political parties and therefore the opposition should not oppose it.

Sitaram Yechury (CPI) said he was aware of the urgency to introduce the bill but as it has a lot of complications, because of which there is a need to "seriously deliberate" on the matter. Azad said the leaders of the various political parties are likely to meet tomorrow and if there is a consensus, then the bill could be taken up tomorrow for consideration.

The Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill seeks to bring radical reforms in the transport sector by ensuring 100 per cent e-governance, checking bogus driving licenses and vehicle thefts, slapping heavy penalty on traffic violators.

PTI