Threatens action if bus operators fail to follow safety guidelines set by state govt
Threatens action if bus operators fail to follow safety guidelines set by state govt
The city wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) has threatened a stir against school bus owners in the coming week if they don't abide by the safety guidelines stipulated by the state government.
Keeping vigil: The MNS student wing says it will deploy a squad
to inspect school buses. Representation pic
Last week, the School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from this week if the state failed to consider its demands, including allowing owners to operate buses older than 15 years. Later, after a meeting with the state transport department officials, the SBOA put off the strike till February 13.
"We have been asking these school bus owners to follow all rules and guidelines which have been imposed on them by the government, but they are simply neglecting them," said Prashant Kanojia, city president, MNVS.
The MNVS said strict action would be initiated against bus operators if the matter were not resolved amicably between the RTO and the association.
"Due to their dispute, parents and children are suffering. Students' safety should be given primary importance," said Kanojia. MNVS members said they would deploy a squad to keep vigil on school buses across the city from time to time and at the behest of the RTO they will conduct random inspections on the buses, issuing a memo of complaint if the vehicles are found violating the rules.
Baba Shinde, city president of SBOA, said he was out of station and was not aware of any developments at the moment. "I don't know on what basis the MNVS is threatening us. I'll look into it once I'm back in the city," he said.
Last month, the Navi Mumbai wing of the MNVS initiated a stir against local school bus operators after numerous students and their parents complained about the problems they had been facing because of random strikes called by the bus owners.
During their agitation, MNVS members attacked a few buses and threatened drivers. Following their manhandling, the drivers had filed complaints with the state government, asking it to prohibit political parties from intervening in their matters.
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