HYDERABAD: In a major initiative to end violence against women in public and private transport vehicles, the AP government is mulling to make the owner of the vehicle, where the violence against the woman was reported, responsible for the incident and liable for punishment.
The women and child welfare department has proposed amendment to the motor vehicle Act in this regard. Women passengers in taxis, shared autos, and public transport often experience groping, staring, whistling and stalking. Most of these incidents are not reported as women feel that they have to travel in the same vehicle or the route regularly. Health, women and child welfare principal secretary Poonam Malakondaiah has submitted a detailed report to the government proposing amendment to the motor vehicle Act to make the owner of the vehicle liable for punishment.
"Unless there are drastic changes in society, it will be difficult to give complete protection to girls. There should be a concerted effort by different departments to protect women," Poonam Malakondaiah told TOI.
The existing law does not permit prosecution of the owner of the vehicle and limit the offence to the driver or the passenger. AP government is mulling to amend the law to put an end to daily harassment of women in public and private transport vehicles.
Poonam's report also proposed enumeration of all autorickshaw and taxi owners by the transport department on priority basis. Change in address and ownership particulars in the registration certificates must be continuously updated. The details of the owners and drivers must be updated in the department website from time to time to track them in case of emergencies. It recommended installation of GRPS system on all taxis linked to a central control room. To implement this, the MV Act needs amendment.
The report urges the public sector RTC to take up public interest advertising to stop the eve teasing menace. "The bus conductors and drivers should be sensitized to be responsive to such behavior and be accountable in case of inaction. All public transport buses in cities should have comfortable travelling space for women passengers with separate front door entry for women and girls," the report said.
Un-noticed aspects like lack of lighting at bus stations and bus stops and on main roads were also highlighted in the report. It suggested provision of public telephone at all major bus stations and CCTV cameras to control the crime against women. It recommended that all taxis and autos be painted with a particular florescent colour to identify them as taxi or auto.
The transport department is examining the issues raised by the women welfare department and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to prepare a fool-proof law to make Andhra Pradesh a safe state for the women.
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