Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 29: The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) sharing power in state with PDP seems reluctant to materialize what Prime Minister Narindera Modi had announced that road users would be exempted from toll tax after demonetization big denomination, as the order is yet to be implemented in J&K.
So far cabinet ministers of BJP, in coalition government have remained tightlipped over the issue and have failed to get issued a government notification waiving off toll-tax at Lakhanpur from private vehicles, on analogy of National Highways toll plazas.
Moreover, indecisive government, over the issue has made Excise department employees' posted in Lakhanpur toll plaza as scapegoats, who have to face public anger, time and again.
"It signals towards double speak of BJP, as despite PM's announcement no relief has been extended to road users", said Subash Dutt, Senior Advocate J&K High Court, Sales Tax, Income Tax, adding that he himself felt cheated while paying toll tax at Lakhanpur recently after PM's announcement. "I went to Punjab on November 24 and I was asked to pay toll by the officer on duty, and similar thing happened at same place November 25 when I came back", he said and added that it disrespect for what the PM had promised.
"It is a minor issue for BJP leaders, who are also part of coalition government but their silence only portends towards fact that they were interested to attain power only", said Mukesh Gupta another victims of BJP's silent and added that BJP could get the toll tax exempted within few hours but so far no such decision has been taken by BJP, mirroring difference between precept and practice of these leaders.
Sources in Excise department informed said that that employees posted in Lakhanpur were undergoing very tough time as every second private vehicle owner has been objecting the collection of toll plaza, giving excuse of announcement by Union government.
"Since, after PM's announcement, no formal order has been issued by state government, disappointed even misbehaves with duty staff at toll post", they added. |
