Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for looking into the grievances flagged by a delegation of All J&K Transport Welfare Association led by its Chairman Mr. Ajit Singh, which inter-alia include collection of tax from all passenger commercial vehicles on quarterly basis, review of the rapid increase of fitness fee of all 15 year old commercial vehicles and re-registration of commercial vehicles under surrender permit for 20 years life in the Jammu and Srinagar districts and 25 years in rest of the districts.
Mr Rana took up with the Lieutenant Governor in detail the issues listed by the Association that called on him here this morning.The Lieutenant Governor assured of examining all the issues by the concerned department.Mr Rana highlighted the crucial role of the transport industry in Jammu and Kashmir economy, especially in maintaining the supply chain and ensuring hassle free commuting in difficult terrains and unpredictable weather conditions over the decades.
“Essentially dependent on surface transport due to lack of railways during the past over seventy years, the transport industry has maintained the life line in Jammu and Kashmir”, Mr Rana said and referred to various interventions made by the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Mr Manoj Sinha in recent years for robust growth of the transport sector.
He said due to various factors the transport industry had virtually come to grinding halt but due to strenuous efforts of the Lieutenant Governor’s administration the sector is showing the signs of recovery.
A delegation of the Association, led by its Chairman Mr Ajit Singh called on Mr Rana this morning along with Vice Chairman All J&K Transport Welfare Association Mr. Balbir Singh Bawa, President All J&K Transport Welfare Association Mr Vijay Singh Chib, President Chamb Route Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Secretary Mr. Sanjeev Choudhary, President J&K Tanker Union Mr. Rajint Singh, President Banihal Group, Mr. Gurdeep Singh, President Poonch Route Mr Sher Singh, President 2x2 Poonch Route Mr Mahinder Singh, President Taxi Union Railway Station, Devinder Choudhary, President Local Truck Union, Mr Manmohan Singh, President Auto Union, Mr Shanti Saroop, Mr Harashish Singh, Mr.Vipan Sharma, Mr.Ravi Sharma, Mr. Manga Ji, Mr. Janak Singh, Mr. Raja Ji and others.
Listing various issues, the delegation stated that the government has been requested for releasing arrears on account of the 37 per cent hike vide JKRTC/GML/SGR/1003 of November 10, 2021 under the SRO 157 in freight charges for goods carriers engaged by JKRTC.
They said the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department is seized of the matter. The Association also brought to the notice the matter regarding illegal operation of E- rickshaws and E- autos in the Union Territory and also sought review of the MORTH proposal of running of E- rickshaws and E- autos, especially introduced for first and last mile connectivity only.
The Association also sought plugging of loopholes in the mechanism of B-Challans issued under Rule 167 in electronic form, using auto generation of challan through the electronic monitoring and enforcement system.
They said the procedure can be streamlined by providing clear photographic evidence highlighting the offence and the license plate of the vehicle; measurement from the electronic enforcement device; date, time and place of offence; notice should specify the provision of the Act that has been violated.