Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 4: Alleging political-contractors’ nexus in the operation of Ban Toll Plaza near Nagrota on Jammu-Udhampur section of Jammu- Srinagar National Highway, provincial president of National Conference and MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana demanded that locals of the area be exempted from the tax at this toll plaza.
Addressing a press conference here in presence of a large number of Sarpanchs and prominent persons of Nagrota constituency here today, Mr Rana cautioned the PDP-BJP Government to honour its commitment or get ready to face the agitation over the issue. He said during meeting with the Administration in presence of R&B Minister Altaf Bukhari, it was principally agreed to exempt the locals of the area because they too are made to pay Rs 75 per car/ jeep while crossing that Toll Plaza and again the same amount while returning home from market at Nagrota or attending duty.
The NC MLA pointed out that he has no doubt on the integrity of R&B Minister as he was willing to do so understanding problem of the locals of the area but a lobby within BJP which is hand in gloves with the contractor-goonda nexus has emerged more stronger due to its vested interests. The BJP leaders who are getting major share out of it do not want it to happen and are providing full protection to the contractor. He said infact, this Toll Plaza should be withdrawn as the location is not appropriate and long traffic jams are created daily at this point.
Replying to a question, Rana said everybody knows about that BJP leader and he will expose this nexus at right time. He said the locals be issued cards and they should be exempted from the toll. “We were just waiting because Shri Amarnath Yatra was going on and now it is over, the people are gearing up for massive agitation if Government failed to honour its commitment,” Rana added.
When asked about decision to purchase of 100 SUVs for MLAs/ MLCs, the NC leader said, development works have come to a halt, employees are not getting salaries in view of cash crunch as projected by Government, then what is the need of purchasing new vehicles. They should go for repair of roads and lanes, improve power and water supply to public. Purchasing vehicles should not be the priority for Govt if it is cash starved, Rana maintained.
Mr Rana strongly criticized BJP leadership in Jammu for exemption of J&K from the list of Smart Cities as announced for all other states recently by Union Government. He demanded that Centre without any delay should declare Jammu, Srinagar and Katra in J&K as Smart Cities.
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