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News:

1. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, facing opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Important facts:

2. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last year.

3. The subject is included in the Concurrent list; Parliament can make a law defining powers available to the States.

4. Key changes in the  Bill :

• The changes in the Bill will enable Centrally-drafted schemes to be issued for national, multi-modal and inter-state movement of goods and passengers for last mile connectivity.

5. The Bill is facing criticisms because:

• The Bill is criticized for lacking the provisions necessary to manage fast motorization.
• Because of its perceived shift of power from the States to the Centre.
• Some states are concerned about the new provisions, Section 66A and 88A, which will empower the Centre to form a National Transportation Policy through consultation process.
• Several States have opposed the provisions of the Bill as being anti-federal.

6. India’s transportation sector is facing problem because:

• The laws governing motor vehicles and transportation sector are archaic and lacking necessary provisions for fast motorization.
• The passenger transport sector operating within cities and providing inter-city services has grown amorphously, with vested interest exploiting the lack of transparency and regulatory bottlenecks
• State-run services have not kept pace with the times.
• Major investments made in the urban metro rail systems are yielding poor results due to lack of last-mile connectivity services.

7. Suggestions:

• The lacunae in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, need to be addressed to improve road safety.
• The act should ensure orderly use of vehicles and expand public transport.
• States should reconsider their opposition to amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act.
• Creating an equitable regulatory framework for the orderly growth of services.
• Bringing necessary changes to the MV Act that set benchmarks for States.
• Enabling well-run bus services to operate across States with suitable permit charges to meet the needs of a growing economy.
• Regulatory changes introduced in Europe for bus services have fostered competition, reduced fares, and increased services operating across EU member-States. Such type of changes can also be introduced in India.
• Strictly enforcement of the road safety norms by the States.
• The effort to curb institutionalized corruption at Regional Transport Offices by making it possible for dealers to directly register new vehicles.
•  Enhancing fines for rule violations.
• New provisions to harness technology, including CCTV monitoring to improve road safety.
• Need for professional accident investigation agency to determine best practices.