SHILLONG, Oct 21: The Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) has demanded of the state government to pull the plug on the imposition of fines on tourist taxi drivers whose permits had expired during COVID-19-induced lockdown.
It may be mentioned that tourist taxi drivers, under the umbrella of Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association (KHTTA), had recently alleged that were being fined Rs 10,000 for failing to renew their permits that expired during the COVID-induced lockdown.
The attempts to get their permits renewed have also reportedly failed as they, despite frequenting the Secretariat for the renewal of permits, are sent back every time with an “assurance” that their grievances would be looked into.
Upset with the state of affairs, Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh has demanded of the state government to waive the fine, stating that the cabbies are in need of succour.
“I demand that whatever fine that has been imposed on them be waived and those paid by the tourist taxi drivers be either refunded or adjusted in the annual taxes that have to be filed by them,” said Lyngdoh.
Casting aspersions on the MDA government, the Opposition Chief Whip said, “This is another instance of the government forgetting its intent and commitment towards the tourist taxi drivers, which was given as an assurance on the floor of the House when I had raised the issue.”
“This shows the apathy of the state government towards the tourist taxi drivers and common man,” he added.
Accusing the government of shying away from responsibilities, he alleged that the Labour department had failed in fulfilling its commitment to transfer money to the accounts of the needy during COVID-19.
“Here also the government has shown its cold heartedness towards the need of the common man, especially the hardworking people and is instead trying to squeeze out whatever earnings they have to fill its coffers through fines that have been illogical and unethical when people were subjected to hard times and not did not have the opportunity to earn.”
