A division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Amjad Sayed was hearing a petition filed by the School Bus Owners Association of Maharashtra seeking a stay on implementation of the notification as there are certain technical difficulties.
The notification, which was issued earlier this year lays down 23 points in respect of safety rules for school buses and is to be implemented from tomorrow.
"The safety and welfare of children is paramount and should be ensured. Regarding implementation of the notification, the government should know how much to enforce and not at this stage," Justice Chandrachud said adding the government should enforce it in the right spirit considering the pendency of the petition.
Government pleader D Nalavade argued that soon after the notification was issued, the bus owners had submitted their grievances which was considered by the transport commissioner.
"Modifications were made to the notification and time was given till August 31 for the school bus owners to comply with the new rules. Sufficient time was given," he argued.
Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for the petitioner, however, claimed that there are still several difficulties that need to be sorted out before the implementation of the notification. "These are not cosmetic changes, they are structural changes," he said.
The court first asked the parties concerned to try and sort out the issue amicably, but then posted the matter for further hearing on September 4.
