One-day ‘chaka jam’ strike by city transporters paralyzed entire transport system across Jammu region. The call for strike was given by All J&K Transport Welfare Association. In the city of Jammu, the strike was complete and no private vehicle, big or small, was seen plying on the roads. Transporters are demanding 40 per cent hike in passenger and freight fares in view of hike in petrol and diesel price. They are also arguing that hike in insurances fee has also adversely affected their business. The fare rates are regulated by the Department of Transport and there is a mechanism of deciding what should be the quantum of increase in the passenger and freight rates. The question is this: First, is arbitrary and sudden call for total strike by transporters justified? Second, if it is justified, why do not the transport department authorities and the Government take a timely decision in consultation with the transporters and why delay it indefinitely? Thirdly, if the demand for hike is not justified in the eyes of the Government, what alternative arrangement does the department make to meet the exigency without putting general public to great inconvenience?
It has to be realized by the transporters and the Government authorities that a sudden call for strike by transporters of Jammu regions has a number of ramifications, which other places or towns in the country may not have. More than 1.2 crore pilgrims visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi during the last year. It is not a small number and anybody can visualize the role of transport of all sorts, in private or public sector, to manage this enormous number.
There is no need to convince the public or the authorities that there has been sudden hike in the price of petrol. Actually it has been fluctuating during last one year and as many as six times has been hiked. We cannot ignore its impact on the transporters. Simultaneously, the prices of essential goods including vegetables and other eatables have gone up manifold. Its impact is not only on the transporters but more conspicuously on general public. It is a widespread socio-economic phenomenon. The Transport Department made 14 per cent hike in the fares last year, and now raising it to 40 per cent as per the demand of the transporters could be putting unbearable burden on common man. Will he be able to carry the extra burden or not, is what the transporters have to understand. On the part of the Government, we learn that a committee has already been working on the subject and its report is expected within two weeks. Only the other day, the price of petrol was reduced by three rupees per liter. These factors and situations have to be taken into consideration when a far reaching decision is to be taken. The transporters may have succeeded in conducting one-day total strike. But what will happen if the masses of the people, feeling that they are fleeced if passenger fare is hiked by 40 per cent, come out on streets in massive protest and turn violent? Transporters have to understand that they are part of the society that is afflicted with inflation and price hike syndrome.
Moreover, when the Government on its part is seized of the issue and the committee entrusted with the duty of handling the issue is at work expecting to come up with a formula within two weeks why do the transporters precipitate a difficult situation. It has also to be noted that the revision of the fares cannot be arbitrary. It has to be done under some considerate formula. The Government has to fear in mind the interests of the transporters as well as the passengers. Therefore nothing can be done arbitrarily. Transport is a people-related enterprise and in such sectors the major stakeholders are the ordinary people. The people also ask what facilities the transporters are proposing to provide to passengers against hiked fares.
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