'Amend road transport bill'

Transport workers of Gaibandha and Tangail yesterday demanded implementation of their eight-point charter including some changes in the Road Transport Bill-2018, report our correspondents.

Hundreds of workers formed a human chain and held a rally along DB road in Gaibandha town in this regard.

Tank Lorry and Covered Van Paribahan Sramik Union organised the programme.

The speakers at the rally said the punishment in the recent proposed law is too harsh. No driver intends to commit accident intentionally.

The bill proposes punishment of five years' imprisonment for causing death of a person by reckless driving, they said.

They also demanded bailable section in the law and reduce fine amount to Tk 50,000 from Tk 5 lakh.

The speakers also called for reducing educational qualification for getting driving license from Class VIII pass to Class V pass.

Abdul Karim, president of the sramik union, and its secretary Atiqul Islam spoke.

Meanwhile, transport workers brought out a procession in Tangail town to realise the demands.

Ahsanul Haque Pitu, president of Tangail Bus-Coach-Minibus Workers' Union, its general secretary Chittaranjan Sarkar and Vice-president Rupchan Miah were present at the programme.