news details |
|
|
| Privilege of travelling in Govt vehicles in J&K...... | | Pay no toll tax, get a smooth entry on roads closed for one way traffic | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 23: In a number of privileges which politicians and bureaucrats enjoy in J&K is one more which categorizes the state as having 'special' tag to these VVIPs. On their own or otherwise they have the benefit of exemption from paying any of the toll tax or such taxes imposed by Municipal Committees while entering their areas and even by the various Development authorities when they visit tourist spots in Kashmir and Jammu as well. When thousands of passenger vehicles carrying common passengers pay these taxes every day, the political bosses and their babus seldom pay any amount and instead rush through the barriers at toll points after indeed getting a salute from the staff employed there.
An incident seen a day back on the UP Express Way is something that depicted a contrast picture. Habitual of conducting themselves above the rule of law as the politicians are, one of the leaders, perhaps a legislator travelling in a Government vehicle tried to rush through a toll point on the magnificent Expressway only to be stopped by a staff member. While the political leader tried to throw weight of being a legislator, seeking exemption to his 'lal batti' vehicle, the staff did not budge to his argument. He was made to pay the toll while he chose to use the Expressway for travelling to whichever destination. It was a gesture worth giving a pat to the staff who without any fear, without indulging in any act of sycophancy to please the leaders or babus made him to pay and repeat the same with all VVIPS as and when they pass through the toll points .
However, in J&K no official vehicle ever pays toll tax at any point, even as hundreds of such vehicles cross either the toll plaza at Lakhanpur or Lower Munda toll point where huge barricades are only raised for common people, be that tourists or the local passenger vehicles. The 'sarkari vehicles' having a red light atop is sufficient to buzz off in speed and enjoy the privilege of paying no money, which is quite an amount nowadays at both the main toll points and other places inside the cities. They violate the rules brazenly following which is a must for the commoners as they travel in normal vehicles . It is different matter that this violation affects the revenue collection as hundreds of Government vehicles carrying VVIPS or not, cross the tolls without paying any amount.
One more privilege enjoyed by the Government vehicles is the clearance of road for them in one way arranged roads . With lots of roads having been declared open for only one way traffic due to heavy movement of vehicles in both the capital cities, this norm which otherwise facilitates movement of traffic, is not for the official vehicles . As and when they happen to pass, the cops deployed there remove the barriers immediately and salute the bosses lest they get annoyed by delay of a minute, no matter it puts a lot of inconvenience to other vehicles. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
