New Delhi: The Home Ministry has successfully mediated with the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), leading to a joint appeal urging truckers to end their strike. The resolution is anticipated to bring truck drivers back on the roads starting Wednesday, averting a potential crisis in the transportation of essential goods.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, after a meeting with representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), mentioned that the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have not been implemented yet. He assured that the government would consult with AIMTC when implementing Section 106(2) of the law, which deals with higher penalties in hit-and-run cases.

Bal Malkit Singh, the core committee chairman of AIMTC, expressed satisfaction with the discussions with the home secretary, stating that they had a fruitful discussion and that the government had taken note of the concerns expressed by the drivers. He expected the drivers to return to work from Wednesday.

A significant number of truck drivers and transporters staged protests on Monday and Tuesday by refusing to operate their vehicles. They were protesting against a provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that stipulates a potential 10-year jail term and a fine for failing to inform the police after an accident resulting in death. The BNS, recently ratified by Parliament, prescribes a sentence of up to five years for individuals who inform the police or magistrate after an accident.

The recent protests by truck drivers and transporters were triggered by concerns over a provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which could lead to a potential 10-year jail term and a fine for failing to inform the police after an accident resulting in death. The truckers, who currently face a two-year jail term and penalty under the existing Indian Penal Code, expressed apprehensions about the impact of the new law on their profession. Government sources clarified that the provision applies to all hit-and-run cases involving any vehicle and is not specific to truck or bus drivers.

The concern over the provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) arises from the alarming number of hit-and-run cases in India in 2022, which resulted in nearly 51,000 deaths on the roads, constituting around 30% of the total fatalities of over 1.7 lakh, according to data from the home ministry. Truckers have argued that they often face bias in accidents, as police tend to file cases against larger vehicles without proper investigation. They also fear potential mob violence and, as a result, may drive away from the scene. Government sources emphasized the importance of truckers staying at the accident site and notifying authorities, even via phone.