Thiruvananthapuram: A high-level meeting chaired by Transport Minister Antony Raju has decided to impose strict measures against inter-state contract carriage buses conducting services as stage carriage vehicles by deliberately misinterpreting the new Motor Vehicles Department Notification issued by the Central government.

Contract carriage buses cannot be used as stage carriage buses under the guise of this notification issued for All India tourist bus permits in order to promote tourism in the country. 
 
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, there are two types of service buses --contract carriage and stage carriage. The Act clearly defines its varying functions. Therefore, strict action will be taken against the owners of the vehicles who try to find a loophole in the law. The transport commissioner also informed that the vehicle owner will be held responsible for any inconvenience caused to the passengers. Furthermore, vehicles involved in such acts will also be impounded. 

The state government's press release stated that the violation of the law in the name of this notification affects the operation of private stage carriage and KSRTC buses. Thousands of workers work in stage carriages in the public and private sectors within the state. As a result, it is not acceptable to oversee some intentionally misinterpreting the law to the extent that it impacts the employment of bus staff. 

The meeting decided to conduct a special drive in September and October under the aegis of RTOs and District Transport Officers of the state as a part of the tightening of the legal process.