Transporters Call For Shutdown In South Kashmir On May 14 Against Toll Tax

Srinagar: South Kashmir Transporters Association has called for a complete shutdown on Tuesday (May 14) against levying of toll tax by National Highways Authority of India on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

The toll is being collected by NHAI at toll post Kachkoot Sangam in Bijbhara area of Anantnag district.

Bilal Ahmad Dar, President Sumo and Temp owners Union said that a meeting of south Kashmir transporters association was held in which members of all the associations participated.

“It was unanimously decided to call for a one day shutdown oin May 14 keeping in view the holy month of Ramazan,” he said.

“We called for only day’s strike in wake of the holy month of Ramazan. Otherwise if government fail to do away with levying toll tax on locals across Jammu and Kashmir and not only those living within 20 kilometers from the toll post, 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 Jammu and Kashmir.

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. The transporters under the banner South Kashmir Transporters Association also staged a protest on Sunday afternoon against levying of toll despite assurance by State’s head that no toll shall be collected from locals. (GNS)