Transporters demand action against rogue officials
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2012:
Observing that remarks of the Transport Minister in the ongoing Assembly session might be due to misinformation/misguidance by top ranking Transport Department officials, Transporters and Drivers' Council has demanded appropriate action against the erring officials.
Reacting on the Minister's statement regarding compensation provided to owners/transporters whose vehicles suffered damages during the infamous economic blockade of 2011, Council president H Ranjit told newspersons today that five trucks belonging to the Council are yet to be compensated.
The Minister had reportedly informed the house that out of 39 trucks/vehicles recommended for compensation relevant assistance to 29 have already been cleared with similar assistance to the 10 remaining ones under process, as assessment report was being processed.
Picking out reported comment of the Minister that assistance extended to the damaged vehicles and goods also included all the trucks belonging to the Council, Ranjit claimed that five of its trucks are yet to be covered under the compensation package of the Government.
Observing that the Minister's naivety might be due to misinformation by the Department officials, he reiterated the demand for action against officials concerned.
Ranjit also pointed out that the erstwhile MSRTC plot at Jiribam was entrusted to the Council with the approval of the chief Minister and the then Transport Minister in 2010 to develop the same site as a transport complex and resting place for travellers.
The reported process by Transport Department officials for handing over the same plot to a private agency is not only against the spirit of the then Government's approval but is also anti-people move, he maintained.
Ranjit further cautioned that in case the Jiribam plot is handed over to the private party possibility of the said site meeting similar fate like the one in Dimapur cannot be ruled out.