Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said the Government has proposed several incentives like waiving off of token and passenger taxes and their arrears in the 2017-18 budget which are set to pace up the growth of the transport industry in the State and give it a renewed thrust.Interacting with a delegation of representatives of transporters which called on her here, the Chief Minister said transport sector is very important for the development of the State as it not only connects people and areas but also helps in the overall economic growth. Keeping this in mind, the Chief Minister said, the Government has announced certain incentives for the sector so that it revives back and is put on track fully.
On the various demands put forth, the Chief Minister said the Government has already conveyed the concerns of transporters of the State to Centre regarding the hike in various transport related services made by the Central Government recently and if need be she would also speak to the Union Surface Transport Minister in this regard. Mehbooba Mufti assured the delegation that a sympathetic view would be taken by the Government on the issues raised by them.Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh; Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb A Drabu; Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Sharma besides Chief Secretary, B. R. Sharma; Financial Commissioner, Planning & Development/Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner-Secretary, Transport, Bipul Pathak and other officers were present on the occasion.