SHILLONG, JUN 10: The commercial vehicle owners under the banner of the East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) have said that one of the reasons for not plying their vehicle during the bandh is because of the failure of the state government to provide proper ‘parking lots.’
This reason was cited in the replies of over 3000 local taxi owners affiliated with EKHLTWA submitted to the District Transport Officer (DTO) and to the Secretary of Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday.
In pursuance of the Meghalaya high court order, the state government issue show cause notice to commercial vehicle owners as to why action against them cannot be initiated for willfully staying away from plying their vehicles on the road during the bandh called by the HNLC on May 27.
“The present problem faced by the taxis especially during the bandhs is due to the non-availability of the parking place which made the taxis to remain off road,” EKHLTWA general secretary Wandonbok Jyrwa said in the reply.
He said, “Taxis were ready to ply during any bandhs sponsored by any groups if allotment of parking is notified by government agency specified in different localities.”
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Jyrwa also informed that from time to time, the issue for parking space to taxis was taken up with the state government but to no avail.
“The government till now is silent in addressing this issue,” he said while stating that it is high time for the government to provide parking place so as to enable all the taxis who are ready to ply during bandh with a parking place.
The other reasons cited by the taxi owners for not plying their vehicle during bandhs is the unwillingness of people to come out and the sharing system of carrying passengers and the closure of petrol pumps.
“All the taxis were ready to ply their vehicles on the day when the bandh was called but it seem that people are not ready to come out,” Jyrwa said.
The association’s argument is that when there were no passengers in the starting point for the taxis to pick up, who is going to pay the petrol fees if taxis are to ply without passengers.
He also said that sharing system is also another factor since in Shillong the booking system is not in practice adding “People here are not willing to pay for the entire trip alone.”
The general secretary also said, “There is also no petrol pump willing to open their outlet during bandh called by any group and the vehicle cannot run for public service.”
Hailing the High Court order, EKHLTWA adviser Desparsing Rani said, “We have high regards for the order as it is a blessing for us in view of the failure of the government to provide the parking lots despite making us pay as many as seven different taxes.”
Altogether there are around 5700 taxis registered with the association.
On questioning as to what will happen to the other 2000 taxis who have not submitted their replies, Jyrwa, however, said that the association will not know about their fate since the state government has given June 10 as the last date for submission of the replies.
The association has also submitted the replies to the Registrar of Meghalaya High Court.- By Our Reporter
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