Sir,
Amidst reports of introduction of “OLA & UBER” services in J&K, Taxi operators Federation has warned agitation against the Government plans. It is, no doubt, the responsibility of the government to protect the interest of the local transporters but it can not be at the cost of the interest of the common masses. In J&K, the private transporters, particularly the taxi and auto operators, are enjoying a monopoly and expoliting the passengers. These transporters are charging arbitarily and no agency willing to check the menace. In fact, there is allegedly a deep rooted nexus between the concerned Govt agencies and the transporters and the victims are the common masses. In Mumbai, four passengers can have a taxi ride for a minimum fare of Rs 22 for around two to three kilometers even today. But, in Jammu, an auto charges no less than Rs 50 for even a half kilometer. The Katra route is the life line for the transporters but the pilgrims are being expolited and harassed as they are enticed to board buses on promise of low fare only to be charged exorbitantly once on board.
To conclude, the transporters need to mend their ways and the Government to enforce mechanism to present expolitation
Yours etc…
S M Pandit
Jammu
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