Meghalaya asks Assam to stop harassment of drivers
SHILLONG: Taking note of the harassment met out to Meghalaya tourist taxi drivers by Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) and police personnel in Assam, the State government has written to its counterpart to ensure that the practice is stopped immediately.
The new guidelines of the Joint Commissioner of Transport in the neighbouring state, which restrict loading of luggage on the roof of vehicles, are causing numerous problems for the tourist vehicles from Meghalaya.
Following the order issued on December 9, the drivers of various tourist taxis have been facing harassment due to whimsical collection of fine by the MVIs and police personnel.
After Sumo Owners and Drivers Association submitted a memorandum to the office of Meghalaya State Transport Authority, the matter was taken up with the Assam Transport Authority.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of Assam State Transport Authority on January 31, P.M Sangma, Secretary, Meghalaya State Transport Authority, said harassment by Assam police by way of collecting heavy fine, especially from those running maxi cabs with light luggage on the roof carriers, on the Shillong-Guwahati road is a cause for concern.
Sangma pointed out that according to Rule 128 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, the restriction on luggage is only for tourist buses. “Tourist cabs, maxi cabs and taxi cabs have no space at the rear or at the sides like heavy passenger vehicles and the passengers will face immense hardships if they carry luggage including bags and suitcases along with them inside these vehicles,” Sangma said.
The Assam Transport Authority was urged to stop the ‘harassment’ met out to Meghalaya vehicles and allow roof carriers on tourist cabs and maxi cabs in the interest and convenience of public service.