Driving test reform faces high-speed protests, indefinite strike from today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Due to the protest by the Joint Strike Committee, the driving test reform in the state became chaotic on the first day. Under the auspices of the All Kerala Motor Driving School Instructors and Workers Association, a statewide boycott of driving tests was observed yesterday. The indefinite strike will commence today.

Yesterday, all 86 driving test grounds in the state came to a standstill while the High Court was scheduled to pronounce its verdict on the matter today. The strike committee has indicated that the protest will intensify in the coming days. M.S. Prasad, the State General Secretary of the All Kerala Motor Driving School Instructors and Workers Association, stated that if the High Court verdict is unfavourable, they will initiate a strike including a blockade of the Secretariat on May 15.

No tests were conducted for those who had slots at any center. Sixty people were scheduled to take the test at Thiruvananthapuram's Muttathara but none attended due to the protest. Thirty-four people had slots at the Kollam ashram grounds, but none showed up. The owners of the driving school in Kayamkulam did not allow all 24 people who appeared for the test to enter the grounds. Boycotts were also observed in Kochi and Alappuzha. Kozhikode driving school owners protested by wearing black badges. Those with slots did not attend here either.

Protesters shut down the testing ground in Malappuram. The protest was conducted by the Motor Driving School Instructors and Workers Association in Thalassery. Tests have been suspended indefinitely in Kasaragod. There is still confusion among the RTOs regarding the non-release of the revised circular to conduct tests for 60 people per day. Officials state that while the controversial circular is pending, the minister has only verbally announced the relaxations and no official orders have been issued. Officials are of the opinion that this directive should not be followed.