Jaipur: Private bus operators in Rajasthan have planned a one-day ‘chakka jam’ strike on Jan 24 to protest strict checks by the transport department on bus body norms in Jaipur, operators said.They said heavy challans were issued to them, while officials from the department said action was taken to ensure safe travel for passengers. In a letter to the state govt, private bus operators under the banner of Bus Operator Society Rajasthan stated that every bus operator in the state is suffering from problems related to bus body code, registration type approval, bus body manufacturer, luggage carrier, emergency door, increased motor vehicle tax, bus stand halting points and parking spaces. “To make our voices heard, a symbolic strike and complete halt of passenger buses in the state will be observed on Jan 24,” states the letter. Kailash Sharma, vice-president of Private Bus Operator Association Stage Carriage, said private passenger buses were halted for additional checks for revenue collection, which ultimately affected passengers. “Even after submitting all the documents online and having a valid receipt issued by the authorities online, during on-ground checks, challans are issued and hefty fines are recovered from us. If we protest, then passengers have to wait in the middle of their journey and they suffer,” said Sharma. He added that fines of over Rs 10,000 were being issued. “We are given permits to operate only after paying all relevant taxes, then why are we asked to pay additional taxes. If there are some tax dues, then what about the permits issued to us earlier,” added Sharma. Officials from the transport department said that action was being taken as per road safety guidelines for passengers’ safety.
Pvt bus operators plan Jan 24 strike against litany of checks | Jaipur News
