The J&K Goods Transport Companies Association Saturday denounced what they said the “dictatorial attitude” of authorities at Lakhanpur check post. The representatives of various transport companies headed by Association president MS Ronga while addressing a press conference here said the transporters were facing huge problems at Lakhanpur check post due to the attitude of the officials posted at the check post.“The officials are unnecessarily asking for unloading of the goods from the vehicles at the post just to harass the transporters. Besides, they impose heavy penalties under the pretext of under-billing,” he said. The transporters according to news agency CNS accused the authorities of arbitrarily fixing the prices of the goods being imported into the state. Ronga said once the goods are unloaded at the check post, “it is almost impossible to reload them in the same fashion they are earlier loaded.”
“Because of lack of manpower and expertise at the check post the goods cannot be reloaded in a proper manner in the vehicles. And, also there remains thick chances that the goods may get damaged due to vagaries of weather,” they said.Ronga alleged that a particular officer always wield a weapon at the check post to harass transporters. He said that the harassment issue was several times taken up with the authorities, but to no avail. “We sincerely appeal the government to stop transporters only at Lower Munda Post. We demand that practice of imposing penalties or seizure of memos on technical grounds should be stopped forthwith,” Ronga said and warned government of serious consequence if transporters face continuous harassment. (CNS)