Chennai, December 25, : , Tamil Nadu’s Transport Department released a draft gazette notice amending the 1989 state Motor Vehicles Rules.It relates to bus drivers and conductors. According to officials from the Motor Vehicle department, the amendments will be in effect 30 days after publication of the draft.
On Thursday, the draft was made public.
After complaints about harassing female commuters, the transport department decided to take this action.Until now, the bus drivers and conductors were not allowed to take action against those who are inappropriately inclined towards women.
The new amendment not only empowers bus drivers, but also prohibits bus attendants from touching female passengers.
There have been several complaints about bus employees discriminating against female passengers.
One example was when a Kanniyakumari woman selling fish was removed from a bus because she felt the fish had a bad smell.
Another incident saw a conductor and driver of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus (TNSTC), arrested after a victim complained she had been molested by crew members on a late-night bus.
IANS was told by a senior representative from the Transport Department that there were never any provisions for drivers or conductors of busses and stage carriers to take action against passengers who are disruptive, such as women with inappropriate behavior and gestures.They can now forcibly get rid of such passengers by amending the Transport Act.
The amendment not only empowers bus drivers, but also prevents them from engaging in inappropriate behavior towards women.
If they behave in an inappropriate manner toward women commuters, the Department will take strict action.
aal/khz/ksk/
#staff #unruly #passengers #Chennai #Tamil #Kollywood #Kumari #Tamil Nadu #Chennai #Kanniyakumari
.
