KATHMANDU: The Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs Supreme Federation (NNTESF) on Monday urged the government to withdraw the new penalty system on traffic offences.

Speaking at the Reporters' Club today, NNTESF President Bishnu Siwakoti demanded that the new rule should be taken back stating that the decision was taken without the consent of the stakeholders including entrepreneurs.

After amendments under Section 164 of the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 1993, any person caught violating traffic rules would be punished with a fine of Rs 500-1,500. Earlier, the fine for traffic rule violation was Rs 25-200.

According to the Federation, the new system would only make things difficult for the labourers.

They expressed further concerns about improper management of parking areas, sidewalks, security measures and ongoing road construction. They said these problems would make the new system impractical.

"If the demands are not fulfilled, the transport entrepreneurs and labourers will resort to protest to press the government," Siwakoti warned.