Kathmandu. Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs of Nepal has drawn the attention of the government towards some provisions in the bill relating to public roads presented in the House of Representatives and demanded with the government to amend the provisions related to fine.

FNCCI President Rajendra Bikram Baniya said the Federation was positive towards the provisions brought with the objective of maintaining good governance in public roads, minimizing road accidents and controlling overload. According to him, the provisions related to determination of weight limit, mandatory weight test through weight bridges and protection of road structures included in the bill are necessary and welcome.

However, he said that many such provisions were already included in the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049 and the Vehicle and Transport Management Regulations, 2056 BS.

Baniya said that merely making laws is not enough and stressed on its effective implementation. According to him, effective monitoring has not been carried out in Nepal due to lack of regulatory bodies, necessary budget and human resources. According to him, some industrialists and entrepreneurs are taking advantage of this by taking advantage of overload transportation.

Clause 13 of the bill states that a cargo vehicle carrying more load than the prescribed limit should be tested at the weight bridge and immediately unloaded. Likewise, a provision has been proposed to impose a fine up to Rs 500,000 immediately on the owner of a motor vehicle if the vehicle violates sub-section (1) or (3) of Section 13.

The federation has specifically disagreed with this penalty provision. Chairman Baniya said that the provision of imposing fine up to five lakh rupees at once would be a huge financial burden for the transport entrepreneurs and it should be made practical.