TURA: The A’chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) has urged the District transport Officer (DTO) in Tura to ensure that transport operators abide by the prescribed fare rates fixed by the Commissioner and Secretary, Transport Department in a notification issued on August 10 last year.
“After receiving numerous complaints from the general public especially the students about the illegal hike in the rates, we had urged the DC to look into the matter who in turn, directed the DTO to make sure that the order is implemented in letter and spirit. Shockingly, we have found that transport operators are not maintaining the fixed rates and blatantly overcharging which attracts various sections of CrPC and IPC,” Lyiend Roshan R Marak the Publicity Secretary of the organization said.
The organizations termed the overcharging as nothing more than an attempt by the operators to make extra profit and vowed to fight against it.
“The innocent public is being duped by the operators who claim that their association revised the rates due to multiple reasons which include hike in the prices of petrol and diesel. Are they empowered to change the rate undermining the ‘standing order’ of Commissioner and Secretary? Is it appropriate to harass the genuine commuters’ by overcharging and simply saying that this was done because of fuel hike?” the organization questioned.
According to the organization, the operators instead of overcharging should have approached the concerned authorities and aired their grievances if they are facing the brunt of the order. It added that while it was not against the operators, the high rates were unacceptable and the rates fixed by the government need to be maintained.
The organization also urged the DTO to be sincere in taking necessary steps to solve the issue.
“Take appropriate measures against the defaulters’. Entrust your Enforcement Inspectors’ to inspect the travel agencies in the district. Cancel the license of the defaulters’, whoever it may be. Don’t allow us to think that DTO is incompetent and incapable to execute the order,” the organization urged.