Transporters in Jammu Kashmir have unanimously decided to observe ‘Chakka-Jam’ on April 17 across the region to press for their long pending demands.
The transporters are demanding the reopening of fitness certificates and renewal of route permits for all passenger vehicles that have been halted due to passenger tax from 01-04-2023.
They also demand release of arrears on account of 37 % hike vide JKRTC/GML/Sgr/1003 dated 10-11-2021 under SRO 157 in freight charges for goods carriers engaged by the JKRTC.
The transporters have also opposed the rapid increase in fitness fee for all commercial vehicles. They said the order for the collection of Passenger Tax on quarterly basis of all passenger commercial vehicles is still pending. The Association has sought intervention of Lt Governor into the matter.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, spokesperson of south Kashmir transporters association said that the High Court ordered all companies, associations, and unions to vacate prime locations in Srinagar City in order to reduce congestion. The proposal is made to make sure that Srinagar’s city centre is free of the mess caused by the traffic. The owners and drivers of nig Buses, mini buses, and maxi cabs are suffering enormous losses as a result of the RTC big and medium Buses’ ‘illegal’ operations of their fleet on all routes in Kashmir Division.
He said that the orders passed by the High Court are not followed by the RTC Officers. “The illegal operation of big and medium Buses of RTC from Batamaloo, New Secretariat Road and Lal Chowk should be stopped forthwith and no RTC Bus shall be allowed to cross the Parimpora and Pantha Chowk Junctions,” Shabir Ahmed said.
He asked the government to collect passenger tax from the vehicle owners of J&K on a quarterly basis.
He said that the transporters have decided that if the Laylatul-Qadr will be observed on 17 April the transport will be available to all Khanqahs and mosques after 6 PM for the convenience of the general public.
All the transporters’ associations, unions and bodies have extended support to this call.