Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: All Pass-enger Transport Association involving several transporters bodies today strongly criticised the Transport Commissioner for allegedly banning temporary permission to the vehicles moving outside the State on religious, cultural, social tours or in case of emergencies.
In a meeting of the passengers transporters held here today under the leadership of T S Wazir, Chairman All J&K Transport Welfare Association here today, the speakers expressed resentment over the order of Transport Commiss-ioner J&K for not providing permission to the vehicles intending to take tours outside the State. They strongly condemned the anti-transport policies of the present TC.
Mr Wazir alleged that Transport Commissioner has issued ban on issuing temporary permission to all passenger transport vehicles within the State as well as inter-states. He said according to MVA-1988 under section 87, Regional Transport authority and the State Transport authority may grant temporary permits to be effective for a limited period which shall not be in any case exceed four months, to authorize the use of a transport vehicle temporarily on special occasion for fair, religious gathering and seasonal business etc. Temporary permits were also used to be issued for religious or cultural tours and in case of emergencies as specified in MVA/MVR.
In is unfortunate that Commissioner also imposed complete ban on passenger transport vehicles whereas, State Govt issued an order No. TCO3/TC of 1968 dated 10-10-68 and No SN-1/MV of 1977 dated 24-02-77 etc in which State carriage operating on local routes in J&K state are permitted to carry personal luggage to the maximum 800 kgs. Contract carriage route permit vehicles are operating on stage carriage route permits (LMV) and creating huge loss to the transporters who have valid route permits. The transport secretary also issued directions to Board of inspections for installation of speed Governors from April Ist, 2016 for all type of passenger vehicles. He demanded that RTO be authorized to issue such permissions as per previous practice.
He urged upon the State Governor to intervene into the matter and issue necessary directions to the TC for resolving this issue of the transporters, otherwise they will be forced to go for Chakka Jam strike. They resolved to observe complete token strike on March 21.
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