Transporters are not adhering to the road transport and highway ministry?s guidelines on carrying goods in the country. The ministry had issued Carriage by Road Rules, 2011, early this year mandating that transporters should register themselves to continue operations. However, transporter associations have asked their members not to go for registration.
The main opposition is to a clause for cancellation of registration if the transporter commits a fraud in transporting goods or charging freight. The rules provide for revocation of registration certificate for two frauds and cancellation if a fraud is committed for third time.
?We have asked the government to change this clause. We favour imposition of reasonable penalty instead of cancellation of registration. Why should we register the company in the first place if we stand a chance of getting de-registered at a later stage,? All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) secretary general Ramesh Kumar Gulati told FE. AIMTC is a group of over 70 lakh truck operators.
AIMTC has already opposed imposition of penalty equivalent to 10 times of freight charged to consignee for carrying goods. The liability shall be calculated on the higher amount among actual freight due or 90% of total charges, excluding taxes. ?It is on the higher side and should be reduced,? Gulati said.
The association said transporters would have to bear financial costs of adhering to norms as all long-term contracts would have to be revised to incorporate relevant clauses. ?This will hit our revenue,? Gulati said.
A senior official in the road transport and highway ministry said transporters have to abide by rules. ?We are not going to change the norms for now,? he said, requesting anonymity. Carriage by Road Rules, 2011 is a supporting document for Carriage by Road Act, 2007, and spells out specific norms to be followed by transporters.
As per the rules a government-approved valuer will evaluate the extent of damage in case of partial damage to the consignment. The consignor will have the right to select a valuer from the list put out by the government. In case of perishable goods, the consignor should select the valuer within 24 hours of reporting the damage. The transporter can select the valuer in case the consignor fails to execute his right within the given time.
