Transporters throughout Jammu Kashmir are planning a one day token strike on Wednesday 30th March in the entire region calling for the withdrawal of three orders issued by the Union Territory administration.
The transporters have given a ten-day time for the admin to revoke the “anti-poor” orders or they will hit the streets from 9th April 2022.
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The recent orders have asked to reduce the shell life of public vehicles to 20 years and also asked the transporters to install a GPS system.
Addressing a press conference, president of the Association, Vijay Singh Chib said “we were expecting support from the government following the COVID19 spread with regard to our demand for a financial package.”
He said that the passenger/commercial transporters are being compelled to install GPS systems in their vehicles which was an “unjustified direction of the authorities especially due to the poor working condition of the transporters following the COVID19.”
They further said that the “Road Transport Corporation bus routes should be defined and similarly the licence for the auto-drivers be issued.”
He said that they will further extend the strike in case the government fails to accept their demands. The transporters are also opposing the passenger tax.
“Many passenger/commercial vehicles have remained stranded for long and still several are not on the roads due to the financial losses they have suffered during COVID. Some transporters are unable to bear the financial burden and hence, the government must come out with a financial package,” the transporters said.
They said they were supported by the transporters from Kashmir valley also and the one day chakka jam may be extended and an indefinite strike could be possible if the demands were not accepted.
What are the Orders?
The Transport Department had issued an order vide No.08-3K (TR) of 2022 dated 07-02-2022 stating that all commercial vehicles shall be phased out after twenty years in non-attainment cities i. e Jammu and Srinagar.
The association spokesman said that they met Transport Commissioner and a meeting was convened on 21-02-2022 under the Chairmanship of Commissioner/ Secretary to Govt. Transport Department and Commissioner Secretary assured all transport Associations/ Companies/Unions that this order will be revoked or will be kept in abeyance and Commissioner/Secretary Transport issued on spot directions to Transport Commissioner, and all ARTO’s of both the divisions for renewal of fitness of all commercial vehicles beyond 20 years.
In another circular, the Transport Department has issued an order vide No.TC/JK/ MV/ 2022/ 774-797 dated 16-03-2022 for installing Vehicle Tracking Device in all commercial vehicles which are against the circular instructions issued by MoRTH vide 0.5453(E) read with 5454(E) dated 25-08-2018.
The Transporters of Jammu Kashmir UT have unanimously demanded the revocation of the order.
In a third order, the Transport Department has issued order vide No.TC/3K/ MV/2022/750-773 dated 16-03- 2022 stating that the “Intensive Drive shall be launched for the collection of the passenger tax and no route permit renewal transfer of vehicles and fitness of vehicles shall be allowed unless the passenger tax due is deposited by the vehicle owners.”