Gadkari also announced formation of an Empowered Group of State Transport Ministers to advise on policy issues to make the country s transport sector modern, efficient and transparent.
Amid proposed Road Safety Bill yet to cross hurdles, the Centre on Monday made it clear to state governments that the proposed legislation does not impinge on their rights and formed an empowered group of ministers to advise on policy issues.
"We do not want to snatch your rights. We do not want to take a single penny from your revenue," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Transport Ministers from various states on Monday.
Gadkari also announced formation of an Empowered Group of State Transport Ministers to advise on policy issues to make the country s transport sector modern, efficient and transparent.
The Empowered Group will be headed by Yunus Khan, the PWD and Transport Minister of Rajasthan.
Addressing the meeting of the National Road Safety Council and Transport Development Council, Gadkari said the Centre believed on the federal structure and sought cooperation from states for the Road Transport and Safety Bill, saying it aimed at providing safer, faster and cost- effective movement of passengers and freight.
Gadkari said the Bill makes significant departures from the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 as it includes safety in construction, design, maintenance and use of motor vehicles and roads as a major component.
Some states had opposed the bill, saying it encroaches upon their financial, legislative and administrative powers.
The Bill proposes a unified vehicle registration system to enable electronic and online submission of applications for registration at any registering authority leading to real time interchange of data relating to such an activity.
The bill provides for far more stringent penalties to offenders. It seeks to come down heavily on traffic offenders and proposes steep penalties of up to Rs 3 lakh along with a minimum 7-year imprisonment for death of a child in certain circumstances, besides huge fines for driving violations.
The bill also proposes introduction of an independent agency called National Road Safety Authority of India, which will be legally empowered. It shall be accountable to Parliament and central government.
It also provides for establishment of state safety authorities which shall act in accordance with the directions issued by the National Authority.
The bill also seeks to establish a unified and transparent driver licensing system. Such a system shall facilitate any time anywhere licence application mechanism in the country and mitigate duplication of licences from various regional transport offices.
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 "Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari")
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