Annual fitness certificates a must for school buses: RR Patil

In a bid to curb accidents leading to deaths of school children, the state government has made mandatory an yearly check on school buses.

Home minister RR Patil on Wednesday made it clear that in the absence of a fitness certificate every academic year, the bus contractor will not be liable to enter into agreement with the school institutions.

The issue pertaining to an accident of Vashi’s Fr Agnel school bus early this year, which left five students seriously injured, was raised during the question hour in the state assembly on Wednesday.

When Shishir Shinde of MNS claimed the bus lacking a fire extinguisher was unfit to ply, Patil said the driver’s negligence was to blame. And, hence he was arrested, Patil added.

Stating that the track record of the drivers would be verified by the authorities before being  allowed to ferry school children, Patil said, “A joint drive by the RTO and police would be launched at the commencement of every academic year to check the drivers’ efficacy.”

Further, while declaring that his department will take steps to ensure that the circular for the school bus safety issued last March is strictly implemented, Patil announced that the checking of the existing school buses across the state will be completed in the next three months.