Bill on traffic rules referred to Parliamentary committee

A bill, which seeks to impose heftier penalties for violation of traffic rules, has been referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, upsetting the government's plans for its early implementation.
A Rajya Sabha bulletin said the Rajya Sabha Chairman, in consultation with the Lok Sabha Speaker, has referred the Motor Vehicle Act (Amendment) Bill to the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, for examination and report within two months.
The standing committee on transport comes under the domain of the Rajya Sabha, therefore, the Rajya Sabha Chairman referred it to the panel though it was introduced in the Lower House.

The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 9 amid complaints by members that the copy of the measure was not circulated 48 hours before introduction as per rules.
Though the Speaker had allowed introduction of the Bill, government had agreed that it be referred to a parliamentary panel for detailed scrutiny.
The existing Motor Vehicle Act has 223 sections out of which the amendment bill seeks to to amend 68.
Some of the key provisions of the bill are increase in compensation for hit-and-run cases from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh and provision of compensation up to Rs 10 lakh in road accident deaths.