New Delhi, August 6: Normal life may take a hit on Tuesday as trade unions have called for a nationwide transport strike on August 7. Commuters across the country are likely to face a harrowing time as bus services, metro and auto services including school buses and public transport will be affected due to the strike. The trade unions have called for a strike to protest the move of the Central Government to make amendments in the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill.

It must be noted that the Bill seeks to amend the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. The protesters are also protesting against the continuous rise in the prices of petroleum products.

The nation-wide strike called by All India Road Transport Workers’ Association has been supported by various organisations like AITUC, CITU, INTUC, among others. AITUC General Secretary Sethuselvam had earlier said that any amendments to the act will affect those involved in the transport sector. Sethuselvam had earlier this month informed that all buses, Lorries, tempos, taxis, auto rickshaw will not ply on August 7. Apart from state-run transport services, school buses, goods carriers, autorickshaws, and taxis will stay off the roads.

It must be noted that the Motor Vehicles Act Bill, if passed in parliament, will allow private players to enter the public transport arena in a big way. The proposed law also allows the Centre to take away certain powers of the state governments.

Reports inform that this is the second all-India strike being held against the promulgation of certain provisions in the amendments bill. The trade unions allege that the Bill, which was already passed in Lok Sabha, was anti-people and anti-employees. The protestors are alleging that the proposed amendments to the Bill will dilute the powers of the State Government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2018 07:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).