Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2009:
Setting October 24 as the deadline for meeting the demand of issuing stage carrier permit in place of the existing contract carrier permit by the Directorate of Transport, transporters of light motor vehicles like Tata Magic, Tata Winger, Tata Sumo and Diesel Auto Rickshaw, etc have announced their decision of surrendering their respective vehicles and related documents to the Government if the demand is not considered.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, general secretary of All Manipur State Light and Medium Vehicles Transport Union M Brojendro Luwang, said that move being made by the Government at the instigation of some vested interested people to cancel the contract carrier permit of the light and medium motor vehicles which are in service for over one year now is unfortunate for the State and its people.
Such move that would deny the livelihood of more than 5,000 educated unemployed youths in the State is strongly condemned by the Union, Brojendro said.
So along with paying serious attention to the issue, the Govt and authorities concerned should take up necessary measures for issuing stage carrier permit in place of contract carrier permit which is renewable after every three months, he demanded.
If the demand is not implemented within October 24, the transporters would surrender their respective vehicles which have been purchased with bank loans and their related documents related to the Government, Brojendro informed.
While demanding formulation of a transport policy at the earliest possible, he also categorically stated that the Transport authority should stop issuing of permits to vehicles which do not have the no objection certificate of their respective societies.
It is said that the Union more than 30 registered societies as its constituent members.
The Union had earlier submitted a charter of demands to the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister on October 12.In the said memorandum, the Union had made it clear that the Government should be responsible for the remaining installations of the bank loan taken after surrendering of the vehicles.