Bengaluru (The Hindu): Vehicles registered before July 13 have up to Oct. 12 to install. In what could raise a storm, the district administration has made it mandatory for all new school buses and vans managed by school managements or outsourced vehicles to have GPS installed, failing which permits to ferry school children would not be issued.

The Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner, who is the Chairman of the Regional Transport Authority, issued the order about a fortnight ago, directing all school buses registered after July 13 to install GPS immediately. The vehicles registered before July 13 have to complete GPS installation by October 12, a release on Wednesday said.

However, this has been opposed by private school managements. Sources said this would not apply to private school vans and buses.

Private school managements pointed out that a similar directive issued by the Police Commissioner in July last year was challenged in the High Court. In fact, the Karnataka Motor Vehicles (Conditions for Vehicles Engaged in Transport of School Children) Rules, 2012, which lays down guidelines for safety of children in school vehicles also does not mention making GPS mandatory.

Although the release quotes the Supreme Court order and the government notification, experts point out that the Supreme Court order has no mention of GPS. D. Shashi Kumar, of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, questioned Mr. Shankar’s move and said the case pertaining to the installation of GPS was pending before the court.

“Why has the Deputy Commissioner issued this order overnight when this is challenged in court? If safety is a concern, then why has he only pushed for GPS installation? Various departments are trying to bring in the same rules, which are not the direction of Supreme Court. These are created to extract benefit from the agencies who are trying to market GPS,” he said. School authorities are directed to get their GPS certified from the Regional Transport Officer.

Why has the Deputy Commissioner issued this order overnight when there are already guidelines pertaining to the same issue? If safety was a matter of concern, why has he only mooted for GPS installation? This move is to please the GPS lobby.

D. Shashi Kumar

Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka

When the government is still not able to impose the previous guidelines, what is the point in issuing another guideline? And what purpose will only GPS serve? Why have they forgotten other important aspects such as CCTV cameras?

Parimala S.

A parent

We have done this in the interest of the safety of school children.

Bengaluru Urban DC V. Shankar

Chairperson of Regional Transport Authority

Photo credit: The Hindu