J&K Transport Welfare Association to go on indefinite strike

SRINAGAR — Passengers travelling in different villages and cities in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir will face inconvenience as hundreds of transporters associated with All J&K Transport Welfare Association are set to go on an indefinite strike from February 24.

General Secretary of the Association said, “It was unanimously decided in the meeting that we will go for an indefinite strike from February 24 (Wednesday) till our demands are not fulfilled by the Government for revision in passenger fare and waive off/rollback Token Tax/Passenger Tax during the lockdown period for one year.”

He said, “We had observed one day strike on 6th January, 2021 and J&K Government that time had assured us that all our demands will be fulfilled by one week’s time, but till date nothing has been done. We have submitted the cost of operation in the office of Transport Commissioner for revision in passenger fare because the rate of petroleum products are increasing day-by-day. Passenger fare was revised in April 2018, then the rate of Diesel was Rs. 65/litre but now the rate of Diesel is Rs. 82/litre which is not now bearable by the Transporters of J&K (UT).”

“We are not interested to go for indefinite strike but the UT Government of J&K is enforcing us to do so. Due to the indefinite strike, inconvenience to the general public/student community is the responsibility of the Government,” he added.

Pertinently, the decision was taken during a meeting which was held in Ware House Jammu in which Vijay Singh, Kuldeep Singh & Mohinder Singh and also presidents of all Commercial Transport Association including Nazir Ahmad, Mudasir Bashir Dar from Kashmir province were also present.

Taxi and Maxi Cab Transporters Federation distances itself from strike

Kashmir Tourist Taxi and Maxi Cab Transporters Federation on Sunday distanced itself from the indefinite strike called by a transport association from February 24.

In a statement issued here, Kashmir Tourist Taxi and Maxi Cab Transporters Federation said a meeting was held in which issues facing the transport sector were discussed.

“While it is true that government has done nothing to address the issues facing the transport sector despite assurances but the meeting decided to give government more time to implement the assurances and address the issues,” it said, adding, “It was also decided that discussions and dialogue with the government shall continue.”

Ultimately, the Tourist Taxi and Maxi Cab Transporters Federation announced not to be part of the strike called a transporters’ association from February 24, saying, “Time for the strike called by an association is not appropriate.”