News
Thursday, June 06, 2013
SC summons OGRA chief in school bus fire case* Asks him to explain policy about fitness of CNG equipment used in public transport
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has summoned the OGRA chairman asking him to explain the policy of the federal government about the fitness of the CNG equipment used in public transport.
The court issued the order during the hearing of the case of a school bus fire that killed 18 schoolchildren and a female teacher in Gujrat on May 25. The court was told that the vehicle did not have a fitness certificate, route permit and had been retrofitted with a petrol engine without fulfilling the legal requirements.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, directed the OGRA chairman to appear in person and explain the policy of the federal government about the fitness of the CNG equipment used in public transport and the precautionary measures taken in this regard. The bench also directed the Punjab transport secretary to submit a report about what departmental and criminal action had been initiated against the government officials responsible.
It expressed concern over the fact that the police have so far not arrested any official of the Punjab government and observed that criminal action should be initiated against the officials responsible. An inquiry conducted by Gujranwala commissioner has held Gujrat regional transport authority (RTA) secretary, motor vehicle examiner (MVE), district traffic police, excise and taxation department and education department responsible for the accident.
Gujrat DPO Tahir Khan Khattak informed the bench that the driver and owner of the vehicle, the school owner and the installer of the CNG kit and cylinder in the van had been arrested. The statement of Punjab transport secretary that the last fitness certificate for the van was issued on November 8, 2012 and it expired on April 3 this year further alarmed the bench.
“It has been learnt that more than one CNG cylinders are fitted in the passenger wagons and that too under the passengers’ seats. The passengers are sitting on time bombs and the authorities have been unaware and unmoved,” Justice Iftikhar remarked. Reading from the inquiry report of the commissioner, Punjab AAG Jawwad Hassan told the court that Gujrat RTA secretary was held responsible for not taking notice of expiry of fitness certificate and unavailability of route permit with the owner of the burnt vehicle.
He further said the traffic police was responsible for not examining the vehicles and impounding the wagons without route permits and fitness certificates. The excise and taxation department failed to check the vehicle’s ownership and had not recorded the change of diesel engine with that of petrol and installation of CNG kit.
The government lawyer further said that the MVE failed to check roadworthiness of the vehicle and issue the fitness certificate.
As the wagon was owned by the owner of a private school and was used for pick and drop of schoolchildren, the inquiry report further discussed the role of the education department which is responsible for keeping a watch on the working and functions of the private schools. The hearing of the case was adjourned for today (Thursday).
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk