Vehicle policy: Notices issued to Samana schools

The Samana district administration has issued a stern directive to local schools, mandating strict compliance with the Safe School Vehicle Policy within the next 10 days.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Babandeep Singh Walia, meanwhile, confirmed that a joint team, including Samana Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Richa Goyal, District Child Protection Officer Roopwant Kaur, representatives from the Transport Department as well as the traffic police, conducted thorough inspections of all the school vehicles in eight private institutions across Samana sub-division.

During the inspections, 66 challans were issued for shortcomings in compliance with the Safe School Vehicle Policy. Four vehicles were impounded and fines totalling Rs 1.75 lakh were imposed.

The SDM said inspections were conducted at a total of eight schools on July 7, 9 and 11. Besides, checks related to the POCSO Act and the school bag policy were also carried out.

She further emphasised that schools were being repeatedly directed not to show any negligence in ensuring the safe transportation of schoolchildren.

She stated that children’s safety can only be ensured if school vehicles or private vehicles are fully compliant with the norms.