The Gandaki provincial assembly is planning to introduce a law to control road accidents caused by stray cattle. The law prescribes a fine of up to Rs 100,000 to the owners of livestock that cause road accidents.

The assembly meeting on Tuesday endorsed a bill related to managing transportation. As per clause 194 and sub-clause 6 of the bill, the owner of a domesticated animal or bird, which is left to stray, will be fined up to Rs 100,000 if his/her livestock causes road accident that kills people. The bill, however, does not define the process of identifying the owner of stray animals.

The proposed legislation also has a provision to penalise jaywalkers. A pedestrian who does not use zebra crossings to cross a road will be fined Rs 100, according to the bill. The recently endorsed bill also proposes penalties against drivers and pedestrians who defy traffic signals.

Likewise, the bill has strong measures against cab drivers who refuse to charge by the metre or are caught fleecing customers. According to the bill, a taxi driver will be fined up to Rs 5,000 for his/her refusal to go by the metre and for charging passengers high fare.