AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Srinagar, February 28, 2016 (PPI-OT): The Kashmir-based transporters have threatened wheel-jam strike in Kashmir, saying they are being harassed at various checkpoints from Punjab to Srinagar. The Chairman of All Goods Transport Companies – a constituent of KEA, M S Ronga addressing a press conference in Srinagar said, “There is an attempt by the Indian government to crush Kashmir economy.”
“Kashmiri goods transporters are being unnecessarily harassed by the authorities on pretext of checking at different places on the highway from Punjab to Srinagar,” he said and added that Punjab’s Sales Tax department was also imposing penalties on Kashmir-bound trucks which was unconstitutional. Recently one transporter was fined Rs 50,000 for no fault. This is sheer injustice, when in every other part of country efforts are being made to ease doing of business, in Kashmir it’s opposite, he added.
The transporters alleged that they also face harassment at Lakhnpur and Lower Munda toll posts in Jammu. He said that instead of recovering penalty amount from the trader’s directly, authorities compel poor drivers to pay it on the spot. The transporters association was accompanied by representatives of various traders’ bodies including the senior vice chairman of KEA, Farooq Dar and acting President, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, Bashir Ahmad Rather.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736