* Stop e–challans, increase fare
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 13: The private transporters and the operators today held strong protest march against the JKUT Government for its failure to pay their pending bills worth over Rs 40 crores for hiring vehicles (Buses/Mini-buses) for the Prime Minister Modi’s rallies at AIIMS Vijaypur, Palli (Bishnah), Katra, besides vehicles provided during Assembly elections etc.
A large number of transporters under the banner of All J&K Transport Welfare Association led by its Chairman, Karan Singh Wazir and president- Vijay Singh Chib assembled at Ware House Jammu and from there moved towards Asia Crossing, Bikram Chowk and then after crossing main Tawi bridge reached at Dogra Chowk and concluded their rally at Press Club of Jammu. They were carrying national flags, banners and placards in hands and shouting slogans in support of their demands.
They also raised slogans against the JKUT Government for not clearing their payments for the last more than five years. They claimed that they have provided bills amounting to nearly Rs 40 crores to the concerned authorities but they have yet to clear these pending bills. Many times demand has been projected and meetings held with the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Transport Commissioner, J&K but only false assurances were given to them. Even the payments of the Assembly elections have not been made by the authorities, they alleged.
They said Transporters also provided buses/M-buses for ‘Khelo India’ programme in Kashmir, those payments were also not made. Only a partial payment of PM’s Udhampur rally was made. They warned to intensify their agitation and conduct ‘Gherao’ of Transport Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner Jammu shortly.
They also opposed the operation of e–buses of the Government and said that no time table is being followed by the Government buses. They termed their operation as ‘illegal’.
Wazir demanded that e-challans of the vehicles by using their own mobile phones are being conducted by the Traffic police just to meet their given targets by seniors, which is totally illegal. He said such illegal activities should be stopped immediately. The public transport and private vehicle operators are being fleeced this way. Wazir also demanded increase in the fares of public transport vehicles as it has not been revised since 2021.
AJKTWA leader cautioned the Government to address these issues of the transporters without any more delay otherwise, they will be forced to intensify their agitation and may resort to indefinite strike.
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