Government Assures Consultation, Encourages Transport Workers to Resume Work as Provisions of New Law Await Implementation

The Government and transporters have reached an agreement, urging transport workers to resume their duties amid protests in certain parts of the country against a provision in the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Both parties have called on truck drivers to return to work.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla clarified that discussions with representatives from the All India Motor Transport Congress revealed that the new rules related to hit-and-run cases, outlined in the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), have not yet been put into effect. Bhalla emphasised the government’s commitment to consulting with the All India Motor Transport Congress representatives before implementing Section 106(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A Home Ministry statement addressed concerns truckers raised regarding the provision of 10-year imprisonment and fines under Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The government stressed that these new laws have not come into force, and decisions regarding Section 106(2) will be made in consultation with the All India Motor Transport Congress. The appeal was made to the transport congress and drivers to resume their work.

The President of All India Motor Transport Congress, Amrit Lal Madan, assured drivers that the provisions under the new law are currently “on hold,” with Union Home Minister Amit Shah keeping the ten-year punishment and fine in abeyance. Madan emphasized that no laws would be imposed until the next meeting of the All India Motor Transport Congress.

Under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, drivers causing a serious road accident by negligent driving and fleeing without informing authorities may face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 7 lakh. The law has faced criticism from transporters and farmer organizations, who demand its repeal, expressing concerns that it discourages drivers and may lead to unjust punishments.

The protest by transport associations and drivers against the new hit-and-run law has led to disruptions, including long queues at fuel stations in areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Chandigarh, temporary restrictions have been imposed on the sale of petrol and diesel in response to a strike by fuel tanker drivers. These restrictions are seen as a proactive measure to ensure fuel availability during the temporary disruption caused by the strike. The new laws, including Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, were passed in the winter session of Parliament to replace the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.