NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Monday slammed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha , with Congress terming it as a sellout to the corporates in the name of road safety while Trinamool Congress and BJD alleged that the amendments were meant to abrogate the states’ powers to implement the Act. YSR Congress also opposed the bill.

The bill, which is likely to be put to vote on Tuesday, could face a tough test despite most members agreeing that the amendments were long overdue and much needed to curb road accidents which claim more than 400 lives every day as per data of the transport ministry.

Minister of state for road transport and highways Mansukh Mandaviya, while moving the bill, said it was aimed at bringing more transparency in issuing driving licences, fitness certificates and registration of vehicles.

“We have tried, through this bill, to use technology to facilitate the public and ease transportation,” he told the House. The bill also focusses on strengthening road safety measures, enforcement of penalty and accountability of automobile manufacturers for faulty vehicles.

Congress MP B K Hariprasad pointed out that Clause 44 of the bill sought to pass on the powers of registration of vehicles from the Regional Transport Office to private dealers.

He said while charges by RTO were anything between Rs 400-700, the dealers would charge between Rs 9,000 and Rs15,000. He said the penalties proposed in the Bill were so high that a person may have to sell his vehicle to pay it.

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (BJP), who headed the select committee that examined the bill, said it had been introduced after elaborate consultations, including with the state transport ministers.

Trinamool Congress member Manish Gupta said it would abrogate powers of the state government relating to road transport. YSR Congress’ Vijaisai Reddy demanded that the government withdraw the bill, alleging that most of the changes suggested by the select committee had been overlooked.

