Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sep 1: People’s Conference (PC) senior leader and former MLA Zadibal, Abid Ansari, today demanded a special relief package for private cab owners in Jammu and Kashmir, saying they are struggling to make ends meet due to declining tourist arrivals and mounting bank liabilities.
Click here to watch video
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Ansari said taxi drivers, who largely depend on tourism for their livelihood, are unable to pay back loans taken from banks to purchase vehicles. “They have been demanding resolution of their problems for a long time, but nothing has been done so far. The tourist flow has dropped significantly, and local residents rarely hire taxis because most households own their own vehicles,” he said.
The PC leader accused the National Conference (NC)-led Government of failing to address the concerns of transporters despite being in power for over one and a half years.
Calling for urgent intervention, he urged the Government to provide an immediate package or waive loan interest for cab operators, similar to measures taken in the aftermath of the 2014 floods.
Ansari also said the PC is prepared to approach the court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to seek relief for taxi drivers if the Government fails to act.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
