'They should call us together, discuss and decide'

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jun 28: Dakshina Kannada District School Vehicle Drivers Association staged a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office here on Tuesday June 28, opposing fines and certain rules that restricted drivers from operating school vehicles in the city.

Speaking at the occasion Sunil Kumar Bajal, district secretary of CITU said "In the wake of Trasi incident, the police officials have been stopping the vehicles and imposing fines. We do not oppose imposing fines on overcrowded school ferrying vehicles, but they have been imposing fines on autos which are carrying even 3 children and Omni' which are carrying 8 children as well. District administration is quiet on the school authorities not allowing the school vehicles entering the premises."

"The district administration has made it a point that only vehicles painted yellow can operate as school vehicles. This rule has hit hard many drivers who have been ferrying children to schools in their vehicles and have made it their profession. Painting their vehicles yellow would greatly inconvenience them as they cannot use the vehicle other than for ferrying school children. Most of the vehicles ferrying children are tourist vehicles and it would be a burden for them if they paint yellow." he added.

"It is not the administration which should alone decide the rules and regulations. Instead they should call us together, discuss and decide. Deputy Commissioner should convene the meeting with parents, school authorities and then decide and review meetings should be conducted once in three months. Every school should form school children's safety association and regular checking should be conducted and actions should be taken on vehicles ferrying more number of children." he said.

We urge the district administration to withdraw the cases booked against vehicles and request the department to book cases only against violators and not on everyone. Instead of painting the vehicles yellow, boards can be put stating that it is a ‘School Van'. If justice is not given to us, then we will stop the service and conduct severe protest throughout the district." he warned.

The association also submitted a memorandum to the DC requesting him to ensure justice to the drivers. Several members of the association as well as drivers of school vehicles participated in the protest.