Central policy: 22 lakh vehicles to be demolished in Kerala; Motor workers suffer setbacks Kerala | Deshabhimani

Thiruvananthapuram
The central government’s vehicle demolition policy will be a major setback for motor workers as well. In the state alone, 22,18,454 vehicles will have to be demolished. There are 72,34,26 commercial vehicles over 15 years and 14,95,028 private vehicles over 20 years. The new policy has a maximum term of 15 years for commercial vehicles and 20 years for private vehicles. Although the draft policy states that expired vehicles can be put on the road if they are re-tested and qualified, it will be difficult.

Taxi drivers are the main culprits. It is not easy for those who have bought a vehicle with a loan to buy a new vehicle at a huge cost, at a time when there is no running at Kovid. The unions say the goal is to reduce pollution and encourage the conversion of vehicles to green fuels. KK Divakaran, general secretary of the All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation, said the central policy was to encourage large automakers. This policy is a continuation of the corporatisation of the public transport sector. He also demanded that the Center withdraw from its anti-labor policy.

A final notification on the new policy may be issued soon in the event of an announcement by the Prime Minister. Transport Minister Antony Raju had warned the Union government that its vehicle policy was unscientific and impractical.