Trucks Going to STOP
Trucks drivers are protesting a recent provision related to hit-and-run incidents, raising the specter of a potential strike that could significantly impact the supply chain.
The updated Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has heightened the penalty for hit-and-run offenses, now carrying a maximum sentence of ten years. Drivers are expressing their dissatisfaction with this amendment, contending that it might be unduly harsh for truck drivers and discourage individuals from choosing truck driving as a livelihood.
Truck drivers
Throughout India are uniting against this new provision in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita regarding hit-and-run cases. Previously, such cases were categorized under various sections of the IPC, carrying a two-year penalty. However, the revised Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has amplified the punishment for hit-and-run offenses to a maximum of ten years. Drivers vehemently oppose this change, asserting that it could be overly punitive for drivers and dissuade people from pursuing truck driving as a career.
The protest poses a potential disruption to supply chains, particularly impacting the availability of petrol and diesel. Chetan Modi, President of the Bombay Petrol Dealers Association, cautioned that smaller dealers with credit limitations and no storage facilities may experience shortages if the strike persists. The Mumbai Petrol Association foresees a 50% impact on the city’s petrol and diesel supply.
Bal Malkhit Singh, Chairman of the core committee of the All India Motor Transport Congress, underscored the existing shortage of truck drivers in India, standing at 27%. He expressed concern that rules like these could exacerbate the challenge and appealed to drivers to maintain patience while urging the government to promptly address the issue.
The truckers’ association clarified that the strike wasn’t officially called by them; instead, drivers organized it independently through various social media platforms. As of now, protesting drivers state that the strike will continue until the 3rd of January.
