Latest news with #MotorVehiclesAct
Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- Indian Express
4,089 school vehicles found flouting safety norms: Govt
The state government, which conducted a statewide crackdown on unsafe school vehicles and inspected 46,748 of 67,613 registered school buses and vans (69 per cent of the fleet) starting July 1, has found 4,089 vehicles (over 8.7%) violating safety norms. The authorities issued 4,438 challans, seized 913 vehicles, and collected penalties of Rs 88.52 lakh. A total of 1,768 vehicles were found to be operating despite expired fitness certificates, a statement issued on Wednesday said. School principals and managers have been told that they are fully responsible for every vehicle (bus, van, or auto) operated by their school. Every school must on priority set up a School Transport Safety Committee and ensure that all vehicles have valid documents, driver verification, and proper safety equipment. Following the campaign, the Transport Commissioner directed all RTOs and ARTOs to conduct monthly reviews of school vehicle operations. District-level reviews showed strict enforcement in regions such as Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Lucknow and Kanpur Nagar, while Mau, Maharajganj, Deoria, Hapur and Siddharthnagar lagged in inspections and enforcement efforts. Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narayan Singh has issued letters to all District Magistrates, Divisional Commissioners (as Chairpersons of Regional Transport Authorities), RTOs/ARTOs, and school principals regarding the safe operation of school vehicles. The Commissioner has directed that private vehicles operating without permits be seized immediately, and vehicles with expired fitness certificates must not be allowed to run. If any school is found violating rules, strict action should be taken in coordination with the District Education Department and the District Magistrate's office. All District Magistrates have been asked to activate the District School Vehicle Safety Committees, hold regular meetings, and closely monitor school transport safety. They must also ensure that private vehicles used for school transport are formally affiliated and authorized without delay, the statement said. All RTOs and ARTOs have been instructed to conduct monthly reviews of the documents of school vehicles, check for proper safety equipment, and verify the police clearance and regular health checkups of drivers and attendants. According to the fresh instructions, no vehicle without proper approval or permit should be allowed to operate from school premises. If any accident or crime happens involving such vehicles, the school management will be held accountable. The Transport Commissioner has emphasised that the operation of school vehicles must strictly follow the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, AIS-063, AIS-125, and especially the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules (26th Amendment), 2019, said the statement.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Row over appointment of Vikas Barala as Assistant Advocate General
A controversy has erupted over the appointment of Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha member Subhash Barala's son, Vikas Barala, as Assistant Advocate General (AAG) by the Haryana government. Mr. Barala is currently out on bail in a case involving charges of abduction, wrongful restraint and stalking of a woman. According to official records, Mr. Barala was appointed through a government notification issued on July 18. The Congress, in a post on its official handle on social media platform X, objected to the appointment. 'See the shamelessness of Haryana's BJP government. The government has appointed Vikas Barala, who attempted molestation and kidnapping, as AAG in the Haryana government. This means a criminal who misbehaved with girls will now represent the government in court,' the party said. 'Even before this, the BJP has been promoting those who harass women, commit rape and murder. This is just the next chapter,' it further said. The case dates back to August 5, 2017, when Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar allegedly followed and attempted to stop a woman, who was returning home from Chandigarh to Panchkula. The woman, a disc jockey and daughter of a senior IAS officer in the Haryana government at the time, had lodged a complaint leading to the duo's arrest. Initially, they were released on bail after being booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act. Following public outrage and criticism over the handling of the case, including accusations of dilution of charges, the police later re-arrested the accused on August 9. Sections 365 and 511 of the IPC (attempt to abduct) were added to the existing FIR. Speaking to The Hindu, the woman's father, now retired, said that only the prosecution witnesses had deposed so far in the case, even after eight years. He added that the defence was yet to present its witnesses and evidence. He declined to comment on Mr. Barala's appointment as AAG. Mr. Subhash Barala could not be reached for a response. His personal assistant said he was attending the ongoing Parliament session.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Accused of stalking, Haryana BJP leader's son appointed law officer
BJP MP Subhash Barala 's son Vikas Barala , accused in a case of stalking, has been appointed as a law officer in the office of the Haryana advocate general , officials said on Wednesday. He has been appointed as an assistant advocate general and will represent the state government before judicial platforms in the national capital. His appointment is part of a broader recruitment of 100 law officers by the government, which was officially notified on July 18. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Leadership MCA Artificial Intelligence Others others PGDM Project Management Data Science Product Management Technology Finance Data Science Operations Management Healthcare Degree Management Public Policy healthcare CXO Cybersecurity Data Analytics Design Thinking MBA Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details The incident leading to the charges against Vikas occurred in 2017 when his father was the Haryana BJP chief. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bahadurpalli: 1 Trick to Reduce Belly Fat? Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar had been charged with stalking and attempting to kidnap a senior IAS officer 's daughter by a court here in October 2017. The trial in the case is ongoing before a Chandigarh court. The complaint in the matter was filed by the daughter of a senior IAS officer, who was 29 at the time of the incident. She had then accused the men of stalking and attempting to abduct her. Live Events On August 5, 2017, Vikas, who was 23 at the time and a law student, along with Kumar, had allegedly followed the complainant's car in their SUV and tried to block the way. The charges against them were framed under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 354d (stalking), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 365 read with 511 (attempt to kidnap). Initially arrested on the night of August 4-5, 2017, they were released on bail as their charges were bailable under the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act . They were later re-arrested on August 9, 2017, after cooperating with the investigation, but received bail again from the high court in January 2018. Vikas appeared for a law examination on December 18, 2017, while in police custody, after being granted bail specifically to take his exams. In June, the state government had constituted a 'selection committee' under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016 for finalisation of the selection process for engagement of 100 law officers -- which included 20 Additional Advocate Generals, 20 Senior Deputy Advocate Generals, 30 Deputy Advocate Generals and 30 Assistant Advocate Generals, in pursuance to advertisement dated January 31. Haryana's Advocate General , Parvindra Chauhan and Vikas Barala were not reachable for comments on the appointment.
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
BJP MP Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala, accused of stalking, appointed as AAG in Haryana
CHANDIGARH: BJP MP from Rajya Sabha, Subhash Barala's son Vikas Barala, who is alleged accused in stalking and attempting to kidnap Varnika Kundu, has been appointed as Assistant Advocate-General (AAG) in the Delhi office of Haryana Advocate General. On August 5, 2017, Vikas and a friend, Ashish Kumar, were booked for allegedly stalking and attempting to kidnap RJ Varnika Kundu, daughter of (now retired IAS officer) Haryana cadre VS Kundu. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 2 in a court in Chandigarh. On the night of August 4, 2017, Kundu was going home in Chandigarh when she noticed a car following her. As per the complaint, the occupants of the vehicle, Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar, allegedly pursued her and attempted to block her path and tried to enter her vehicle. The Chandigarh Police initially registered a case under Section 354 D (stalking) of the IPC and other relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. Charges of attempted abduction were also added after widespread criticism of police functioning. On October 13, 2017, a court in Chandigarh framed charges against both the alleged accused. Vikas was allowed to appear for the degree exam, while he remained in Burail jail of Chandigarh for five months and was pursuing law degree from Kurukshetra University.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Helmet rule flouted by over 70% of riders across Andhra Pradesh
Nearly 74 per cent of two-wheeler riders in urban areas and 78 per cent in rural Andhra Pradesh violated helmet safety norms in 2024, according to a report by the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) Centre at IIT Delhi. Alarmingly, over 98 per cent of pillion riders — both urban and rural — failed to wear helmets last year. Despite repeated awareness drives and clear mandates from the Committee on Road Safety and the government, helmet use remains sporadic among two-wheeler users across the state. This negligence contributed to 30–35 per cent of road fatalities in Andhra Pradesh. Within the Vizag police commissionerate limits alone, over five lakh helmet violations were reported in 2024. Of the 8.72 lakh traffic infractions citywide, 57.6 per cent — more than five lakh — were committed by riders traveling without helmets. As per Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, both riders and pillion passengers must wear protective headgear conforming to BIS standards. However, a senior police official noted that widespread disregard for the law continues, placing many lives at risk. On average, the state sees six to eight road crash deaths daily due to non-use of helmets. Ministry data shows 3,042 fatalities among two-wheeler users in 2022 — including 970 pillion riders — for not wearing headgear. Most of the patients admitted to trauma centres across the state following road crashes were not wearing helmets at the time of the incident. This group comprises both two-wheeler drivers and pillion passengers who failed to wear helmets and consequently sustained serious injuries. Authorities say only one to two percent of pillion riders in cities such as Vizag and Vijayawada wear helmets despite repeated appeals and warnings. Officials expressed concern over the growing disregard for this vital safety practice. Stringent enforcement and awareness campaigns have contributed to some drop in primary riders without helmets in Vizag. However, pillion riders seem to be ignoring their safety, which could prove fatal in case of road crashes. Despite the series of awareness campaigns, pillion riders continue to neglect this critical safety measure, said a senior police officer in Vizag.
