In the backdrop of death of 27 people, including 23 children, in a bus accident earlier this week in Nurpur in the the state, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday issued a series of instructions to officials for safety of school children.
"Every vehicle being used to carry school children must be driven by a driver having a minimum experience of five years in driving such categories of vehicles and must not have any record of traffic offences. In addition, all the safety related provisions for the safe plying of students to school and back home must be efficiently implemented," Thakur said, while presiding over the meeting of senior officers of the state government here on transportation safety issues pertaining to private schools.
Terming the school bus accident in Nurpur as tragic, Thakur said effective steps should be taken so that such types of incidents were not repeated in the future.
The Chief Minister said that the main focus should be on strengthening and regulation of existing laws and guidelines applicable for buses and taxis and other means of transport for transportation of students by the private schools. He said that any violation in driving must be dealt strictly.
Thakur said that the high level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to regulate traffic safety issues pertaining to private schools in the state must give its report within four days so that the recommendations could be finalized and effectively enforced for the safety of students.
He said all guidelines issued by the CBSE, Supreme Court and the National Disaster Management Authority would be effectively implemented. "All school buses should be first hand, in good condition and as per the specification laid down by the competent authorities. Effective feedback mechanism must be evolved to check and improve implementation of existing laws," the chief minister said.
Similarly, all the buses owned by the private schools must be painted yellow and those owned by HRTC being used as school buses must have a boldly written 'School bus' on the front and rear of the buses.
The Chief Minister said that the strict action should be taken against the vehicle carrying excess of its permitted sitting capacity. The buses plying students should have all the required equipments such as first aid box, fire extinguisher etc. He directed the officers to effectively enforce all the laws enacted for the safety of the children.
He said the committee should also recommend steps to be taken by private schools to involve parents and local community for safe transportation of students.
Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhary who is the Chairman of the committee assured the Chief Minister that the committee will submit its suggestions within the stipulated time period.
It was decided in the meeting to launch an extensive drive in the state during next ten days in which Regional Transport Officers and Sub Divisional Magistrates would check the buses or vehicles being used by the schools. These checks would be repeated after a period of three months and government would also consider making the rules for passing of the vehicles more stringent. It was also decided to conduct medical check-up of the drivers of the school buses.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Advocate General Ashok Sharma, were amongst senior civil and police officers present in the meeting.