Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: All the transport operators in J&K today declared to go on indefinite `Chakka Jam’ strike from Lakhanpur to Kashmir from March 10, 2020 as the J&K Administration has failed to address their issues despite assurances several times.
Declaring this, after a marathon meeting with representatives/ office bearers of various buses, trucks, oil tankers, mini-buses, Sumo-taxis, autorikshaw unions here today, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Chairman – All J&K Transport Welfare Association told media-persons that it has been unanimously decided in the general house meeting that entire private transport in J&K UT will remain off the road from March 10 onwards.
Click here to watch video
Wazir alleged that the previous PDP-BJP Government, Governor’s Administration and even the present LG Administration have totally failed to address the pending issues of the transporters. Many times representations were given to the top officers, meetings were held with the Administration but only hollow assurances were given to the transporters. Now, compelled by the attitude of the top bureaucrats/ administration, the transporters have been left with the only option to go on indefinite strike.
Wazir said the transporters are already not in position to ply their vehicles as usual, due to the implementation of various taxes/ fee and less flow of tourist after abrogation of Article 370. The imposition of 9 % token tax on all commercial vehicles at the time of registration by new UT Government on August 2, 2019 vide SRO 492 has given big blow the transport sector. But it is again strange to note that the Govt is going to charge 9 % tax from all those commercial vehicles which are registered prior to August 2, 2019.
He said the J&K Govt waived off Passenger tax up to December 31, 2018 and after that there is no provision of collection of Passenger tax in PARIVAHAN but the Transport Department continued to collect passenger tax manually which is totally unjustified. There is no provision of this kind of tax in any UT. The transporters/ operators are facing harassment from Traffic police, Executive Police and the MVD staff on the roads. There is urgent need to keep check on their `illegal activities’.
Wazir said that Tranporters are demanding revision of fare/ freight of the vehicles for the last several years but the Government has turned deaf ear towards this most burning demand. Moreover, additional Toll Plazas at Sarore/ Ban Nagrota have put extra burden on them. These Toll Plazas be lifted without any delay or good hike in passenger fare be ensured. He also pleaded for Transport subsidy scheme to support Transport Industry.
The Association chairman further pointed out that Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has given directions to J&K UT for registration of fresh vehicles only on the prescribed form No. 22, issued by the concerned authority to curb corruption but the UT Govt in J&K is not registering such vehicles as per Form No. 22 for the vested interests. Wazir claimed that J&K UT Administration was forcing the transporters to adopt the agitational path. He declared that all types of transport vehicles will not operate in J&K from March 10 and State Administration will be responsible for the inconvenience to the general public.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
