Drive against errant school vehicles put on hold till Sept 28

The Delhi government's transport department has put on hold its drive to impound errant school vehicles and has given them time till September 28 to complete pending formalities including police verification, an official said today.
The breather came following a meeting with various school associations, who requested for time so that students who used to travel in buses which have been impounded, do not suffer.
The official, however, said the Delhi government will not compromise on the safety and security of school students and after 10 days the transport department will resume the drive.
At least 345 school buses, including 20 of Ryan International Group of Institutions, were impounded last week by the Delhi government's transport department as part of its drive against errant school vehicles.

The drive against private school buses flouting norms and rules was launched after the rape of a five-year-old girl at her school in Shahdara and the killing of a seven-year-old boy in Gurgaon's Ryan International School.
"The schools have been given time to ensure verification of their staff and fulfill other safety measures. The drive will remain postponed till September 28," a transport department official said.

"The action was taken for two major violations concerning the drivers and conductors of the buses. While drivers did not possess public service vehicle badges, the conductors were found to be lacking in education qualification, which is class 10 pass, and not having proper licence," the official said.

S K Bhattacharya, the president of Action Committee for Unaided Private Recognised Schools, of which prominent Delhi schools are members, said, "We understand that strict implementation of rules is necessary but it is unfair to let students and parents suffer because school vehicles have been impounded."
"We requested for time to let schools complete the formalities and rectify loopholes, and a window till September 28 has been granted," he said.