State

AITC leader takes up plight of taxi drivers

Shillong,Oct 3: The national spokesperson of AITC, Saket Gokhale has expressed concern over penalties imposed on taxi drivers by the state government for renewal of permits which expired during the Covid-19 period.

“This action of the Govt of Meghalaya is in clear violation of the notification and rules issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Union Govt of India”, Gokhale said in a letter addressed to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on October 2.

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Letter of Gokhale addressed to govt below.

To,

Sh. Prestone Tynsong,

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister,

Government of Meghalaya

Copy to: Sh. Dasakhiatbha Lamare, Hon’ble Minister I/C Transport, Govt of  Meghalaya regarding violation of Union Govt guidelines by Govt of Meghalaya on penalties imposed on taxi drivers for non-renewal of permits that expired during Covid-19

Sir,

As you’re well aware in your discussions with various groups of taxi drivers in Meghalaya, a major issue being faced by them is the penalty of Rs 10,000 being charged for renewal of taxi permits which expired during the Covid-19 period.

Your attention is drawn to Notification no. RT-11036/35/2020-MVL issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India, dated 30.09.2021.

Through this notification, the Govt of India had clearly directed all states to extend the validity of all motor vehicle documents including taxi permits which were expiring during the Covid-19 pandemic period to 30th of September, 2021.

Despite this order of the Govt of India, the State of Meghalaya continues to blatantly disregard the rules and is intentionally delaying the waiver of penalty fees of Rs 10,000 for taxi permits causing great anxiety and loss to taxi drivers in the state.

Livelihood of taxi drivers has taken a major hit due to the Covid-19 lockdown as well as due to the fall in tourist numbers. While other states have duly followed the aforementioned orders of the Govt of India, the state of Meghalaya seems to be delaying the resolution of this issue inexplicably and is keeping taxi drivers in a limbo thus violating not only their right to life but also their right to livelihood guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

You had personally assured taxi drivers in Meghalaya that this issue of penalties on expired permits would be dealt with expeditiously. However, that has clearly not happened.

You’re, therefore, urged to consider this issue on priority and issue an immediate notification waiving the Rs 10,000 penalty being imposed on taxi drivers in Meghalaya for renewal of permits which expired during the Covid-19 period.

It is hoped that you will treat this issue with the utmost urgency since it affects the llife

and livelihoods of taxi drivers in Meghalaya violating not only their right to life but also their right to livelihood guaranteed
under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
You had personally assured taxi drivers in Meghalaya that this issue of penalties on
expired permits would be dealt with expeditiously. However, that has clearly not
happened.
You’re, therefore, urged to consider this issue on priority and issue an immediate
notification waiving the Rs 10,000 penalty being imposed on taxi drivers in Meghalaya
for renewal of permits which expired during the Covid-19 period.
It is hoped that you will treat this issue with the utmost urgency since it affects the llife
and livelihoods of taxi drivers in Meghalaya.

Regards,

Saket S Gokhale,

National Spokesperson,

All India Trinamool Congress

Phone: +91-9920169407

Email: contact@saketgokhale.in

Address: 61 South Avenue, New Delhi 110011

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