India Legal News: House Panel Suggests For Withdrawal of Road Safety Bill

India legal news reports indicate that just two months after the introduction of the Road Safety and Traffic Management Board Bill, the House panel has recommended its withdrawal. The Government introduced the bill on May 4, 2010, in the Lok Sabha with the intention to set up the National Road Safety and Traffic Management Board.

Mr. Sitaram Yechury, the Chairman of the Parliamentary standing Committee, on transport, culture and tourism, stated that the road safety bill has no significance. Also, the Committee has submitted a report to the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

India Legal News: Yechury Rubbishes the Road Safety Bill

India legal news reports indicate that Yechury stated that the proposed Board is restricted to the safety of national highways, which comprises only 2% of India’s total road network. As about 70% of the road accidents occur on other roads, it makes no sense to pave the way for such a board that further lacks powers for effective co-ordination among the various Central and State agencies.

Yechury also stated that the proposed Board violates the suggestions of the Sunder Committee, which conducted an extensive study in 2007, on road safety and management. Yechury’s main criticism was that the proposed Board might only serve the purpose of placing retired government officials in good positions.

The Parliamentary Committee also expressed concern that the required qualifications for the Chairman of the proposed Board, was not enough. The Committee expressed amazement that while all the members of the Board had to possess relevant experience, the Chairman required only peripheral knowledge and professional experience, in road transportation and administration.

The Committee said that the government should develop a comprehensive legislation, with a wider perspective. Also, the provisions of the Motor Transport Vehicle Act shall be implemented, for the time being.

The road safety bill provides for a penalty of Rs.1 million for failure on the part of the builders, to comply with requisite standards, while constructing national highways.  However, this looks unlikely to be passed, considering the widespread criticism of it in powerful political circles.