South Kashmir transporters call shutdown on May 14 against toll tax

Saahil Suhail

Early Times Report

Anantnag, May 12: The transporter unions operating in southern Kashmir on Sunday called for a complete shutdown on Tuesday (May 14) against levying of toll tax by National Highways Authority of India on Srinagar-Jammu highway at Kachkoot Sangam.

The Kachkoot Sangam toll post was made operational by National Highways Authority of India last week by collecting toll tax from all private and commercial vehicles.

According to reports, on Sunday various transport Associations held a meeting in Anantnag under the banner of South Kashmir Transporters Association and discussed the issue.

Bilal Ahmad Dar, who heads Sumo and Temp owners Union told media that it was unanimously decided to call for a one day shutdown on May 14 against the levying of toll tax at Kachkoot Sangam toll post.

“We called for one day strike and if government fail to exempt locals across Jammu and Kashmir we will go for an indefinite strike,” he said.

The association said that transporters and other related business community earn their livelihood under difficult situation from last 30 years and levying toll tax is unacceptable to people of entire state.

He said that administration should ensure that the assurance given by Governor Satya Pal Malik that no toll will be imposed on people across Jammu and Kashmir is translated on ground.

Presently the toll is being collected which has resulted in tremendous hardship to the people especially the transport community. Under the banner of South Kashmir Transporters Association, transporters also staged a protest against levying of toll despite assurance by the Governor’s directive that no toll shall be collected from locals.

This week after inaugurating grand spectator TRC in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik told media that locals will be exempted from paying toll tax at Kachkoot Sangam toll post. Earlier Divisional Administration had also assured the people living within the 20 km radius will be exempted from paying toll tax, however on ground the firm responsible for collecting tax at toll post aren’t allowing anyone to travel towards Srinagar or Jammu without paying toll tax.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had also published list of around 20 villages adjacent to toll post and promised to exempt them paying tax.