NGOs Demand: "Take strict action against the schools and private owners of vehicles for plying the condemned vehicles and playing with the lives of children."
Ferozepur, February 21, 2013:The representatives of various NGOs, Ashok Gupta, ex-President, Municipal Council, Janinder Goyal, ex-President Rotary Club, Arun Sharma, Inder Singh, Gogia, NGOs President, Ashok Bajaj, ITO(Retd), Vice President, Manjit Singh Dhami (Retd.SDO) Joint Secretary, Diwan Chand Sukhija, President, Streamline Welfare Society have demanded from District Transport Officer and Traffic Police, to take strict action against the schools and private owners of vehicles for plying the condemned vehicles and playing with the lives of children. It has been seen in the city that condemned school buses on the road are danger to the lives of the students and public.
They further said, most of the schools are not having their own transport and have made arrangements by out-sourcing who are not bothered about the condition of the vehicles. The school managements must make arrangements for vehicles in good condition to avoid any untoward incident.
They demanded from the deputy commissioner to direct the DTO to start a special drive the school vehicles and which are not fit for plying on the road, their permits should be cancelled. A certificate of vehicle fitness should be issued by the transport department which should be displayed on the front glass of the vehicle. Stricter measures for ensuring safety of students should be adopted by issuing fresh guidelines on plying of school buses.
The NGOs also said that the drivers having five years of experience should be allowed to drive school buses and vans. Any driver who is challaned more than twice in a calendar year, on account of certain violations like overtaking, jumping of red light and violating parking regulations will not be allowed to drive school buses.
They further said the drivers must wear a uniform of grey trousers and jacket and they must display their identity card visibly while driving the vehicles. The name of the owner of the vehicle must also figure in the card and in case anybody is charged with offenses like over speeding, drunken driving or driving dangerously or booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder will not be allowed to drive a school vehicle.
Further, school buses must display prominently that they are being used for ferrying school. The bus must be equipped with a first-aid box, fire extinguisher and must have provision for bag racks.