Bombay HC asks state to clear stance on transport rules
It also suggested that the transport department take suggestions from the state law department before coming to a conclusion.
Mumbai: The Bombay high court (HC) has asked the state transport department to make it clear whether it would follow Central government rules for the safety of school buses or state-made rules.
It also suggested that the transport department take suggestions from the state law department before coming to a conclusion.
A division bench comrising of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Girish Kulkarni was hearing a petition filed by the Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA), alleging that despite rules being framed for the school buses, no safety norms were being followed in school buses and sought action against schools.
On Wednesday, the court had asked additional transport commissioner S.B. Sahastrabuddhe to be present during the hearing on Thursday. Sahastrabuddhe infor-med the court that three-wheelers and vehicles with less than 12 seats wera allowed to ferry children to schools in accordance with the state government rules of 2012. But the court pulled up the state for not following the Centre’s rules which were applicable all over the country. This was against the spirit of the court’s orders and rules.
In 2016, the Centre had made changes to the central motor vehicle rules and defined a school bus as a vehicle with minimum 13 seats, excluding the driver.
State counsel Abhinandan Vagyani, informed the court that after issuing directives, the regional transport office has not allowed any three-wheelers to ferry school children.