Daily The Hindu Editorials Notes – Mains Sure Shot (13/09/2019) for UPSC/IAS

Note  : today there are three important articles.

1. U.S.-Iran detente
2. Are public universities under threat?
3. And, Futile fines.

Of these the first two have already been covered. U.S-Iran relations have been covered numerous times and the threat to public universities was covered in the article of 13th August, 2019. And also the various aspects of the motor vehicles act, 2019 have been covered.

The following are the additional points of the articles titled ‘Futile fines’ that deals with the Amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019.

1. The article stresses on the severity on the steep penalties that was the result of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
2. It says that several states like Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala have shown their resentment against the Act and decided to either reduce the penalties in their state or refuse to adopt higher penalties. 
3. The article argues that before enforcement of the Act the road infrastructure should have been improved (the condition of roads, traffic signals, signage and cautionary markings which affect motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, would all fall within its ambit.). Also necessary administrative changes should have been made for faster issuing of transport documents.
4. So it argues that India has some of the deadliest roads in the world, and 1,47,913 people died in road accidents only during 2017. The question that has arisen is whether enhanced fines can radically change this record when other determinants, beginning with administrative reform, remain untouched.
5. Section 198(A) of the amended law, which is the core point of reform makes it clear that in case the designated authority, contractor, consultant, or concessionaire are found to have not properly discharged their responsibilities and it results in disability or death, they will be liable to pay a fine of ₹1 lakh. This is a good step but the fine in this case charged upon the contractors should have been higher and the clause should not be such that one needs to wait till an accident to happen before the contractor or others in authority could be charged.
6. It also highlights that the State governments should also reform their Regional Transport Authorities, since these offices are generally steeped in corruption.
7. Also having electronic delivery of Regional Transport Office could have been made mandatory by the Ministry so that there is less hustle. And, 
8. Finally there should be an ending to the culture that allows government vehicles and VIPs to ignore road rules will encourage the average citizen to follow them.
9. Also the National Road Safety Board needs to be formed urgently to recommend important changes to infrastructure and to enable professional accident investigation.