GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1009
ANSWERED ON 8TH FEBRUARY, 2018
ROAD SAFETY IN KERALA
1009. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has received representation from the Government of Kerala about its reservations regarding the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015 in its current form as it may affect the working of State Transport Undertakings (STUs) such as the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is likely to be willing to retain the concerned existing provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 i.e. sections 97 to 104, Chapter 4, which provides ample provisions for the protection of STUs;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)
(a) & (b) The Road Transport and Safety Bill was being proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2014. However, after the consultation with the Stakeholders and the observations of the States, it was decided to have further consultation and deliberations for further consideration on the Bill. Considering the urgency, necessary amendments in the current Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 are being proposed through amendments. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was passed by Lok Sabha on 10th April,2017 and is pending in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing.
(c) to (e) In the proposed Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, no amendments in section 97 to 104 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 have been proposed.
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Relevance/ Significance

The Government of Kerala had voiced concerns about the move of the Government to enact the Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015, which would impact the functioning of the State Transport Undertakings (STUs) such as the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. The Government in its reply has stated that there is no proposal to amend Chapter IV of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which protects the STUS.