The State government on Wednesday submitted a draft notification issued on October 9 to amend the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules for deactivating the child lock system in all types of taxis/cabs, including those operating under technology-based taxi aggregators, in the State.
Submitting a copy of the draft notification before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice S.G. Pandit, the government counsel said that 30 days have been provided for the public and others to send their suggestions and objections to the proposed amendment.
The amendment states that grant or renewal of permits and fitness certificates will be subject to deactivation of the child lock system in all types of taxies/cabs.
Meanwhile, the bench wanted to know the methodology for implementing the proposed rule in all the existing taxies/cabs that are plying on the road with valid permits and fitness certificates.
The bench was hearing a PIL petition, filed by Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The petitioner has pointed out that the child lock system, introduced keeping in mind the safety of children sitting in rear seats in cars, has in the recent past turned out to be a threat to the safety of women travelling in taxies/cabs while seeking deactivation of child lock system.