Transport Minister Satish Sharma says genuine concerns of transporters will be addressed; committee formed to review Smart City buses, green tax, permits and other issues
Srinagar, May 8: Kashmir transporters on Friday deferred their proposed May 12 strike call after a high-level meeting chaired by Transport Minister Satish Sharma with representatives of transport associations and unions from Kashmir Division over several pending issues concerning the transport sector in the Valley.
Details available with the news agency JKNS, stated that, during the meeting, with the transport minister, transport representatives projected several demands and concerns related to Smart City buses, free bus services, green tax, permits, outside-registered vehicles and other operational issues affecting the transport sector.
Minister Satish Sharma as per JKNS, assured the transporters that the government is committed towards ensuring a balanced, sustainable and people-centric public transport system across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said the government fully recognises the contribution of the transport sector towards public mobility, employment generation and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
He stated that while the government is focused on strengthening affordable and efficient public transportation facilities for the common people, equal importance would be given to protecting the interests and livelihoods of local transport operators.
Satish Sharma further said all genuine concerns and demands projected during the meeting would be examined sympathetically through a transparent, practical and consultative approach.
He also stressed the need for better coordination among various transport agencies and directed the concerned officers to work closely with all stakeholders to resolve operational issues related to Smart City buses and other transport services in a time-bound manner.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Transport Commissioner J&K, Managing Director RTC, Director Finance Transport Department, Director Estates Kashmir, Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, SSP Security Civil Secretariat and other senior officials along with representatives of various transport bodies from Kashmir.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after the meeting, transporters leader Shabir Ahmad Matta, as per news agency JKNS, said the government had invited transport representatives for discussions following memorandums and repeated representations submitted earlier regarding issues faced by transporters.
Matta said the meeting was held in a “cordial atmosphere” and transporters strongly raised all major issues concerning the sector.
“A committee has been formed and meetings will be held after every 15 days. The government assured us that no major decision regarding the transport sector will be taken without taking stakeholders on board,” Matta said.
He further stated that transporters received a positive response from the government, especially regarding concerns over Smart City buses, free services, green tax and permit-related issues.
Matta said the proposed strike scheduled for May 12 has presently been deferred in view of the assurances given by the authorities.
“We have deferred the strike call for now. If our issues are resolved, there will be no strike, but if the demands remain unaddressed, the future course of action will be decided accordingly,” he said.
The transport leaders also thanked the Transport Minister, officials and the government for listening to their concerns before the strike call and initiating a dialogue process with stakeholders. (JKNS)
