Motor Bill: Oppn says Centre trying to take away state's

Some opposition members on Tuesday supported safety and traffic violation aspects of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, but at the same time accused the Centre of trying to take away state's powers with certain provisions of the draft law.

In Lok Sabha, DMK's Kanimozhi and Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy asked Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was present in the House, to incorporate suggestions offered by their parties in the bill.

Kanimozhi said Gadkari may have assured the opposition that it is up to states to follow many provisions of the bill but said it was not enough as government and minister are liable to change with time.

The central government is already in control of seaways, airways and trains, and is now trying to control roadways as well, she said.

She also objected to the bill's provision that does away with the need for any education for a driver.

In a veiled dig at Gadkari, she said he is a very effective minister but has made some "very tall and big" promises like many