By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Director General of Police, N Ramachandran, has assured that he would pursue with the State Government and seek clarification on the JNNURM buses with Government registration numbers plying as commercial vehicles.
“The DGP has assured to look into the matter as soon as possible while seeking a clarification from the Government,” Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Herbert Lyngdoh, told reporters here on Wednesday after his meeting with the DGP and members of the East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA).
The taxi association also urged the DGP to look into the matter and do the needful as per in cognizance with the Central Motor Vehicles Act.
Speaking to reporters later, EKHLTWA general secretary Wandonbok Jyrwa, expressed his resentment over the fact that the SPTS buses and the recently-launched maxi taxis were plying without valid documents in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act.
“If the Government is itself breaking the law by allowing private vehicles to operate for commercial purposes then it would be easy for the common man to follow that example,” Jyrwa added.
The Association also asked the Government to clarify on whether it had paid road tax before utilizing these vehicles for commercial purposes.
Jyrwa also raised questions over local MLAs donating private vehicles which ply on the city streets as commercial vehicles.
The Addl SP (Traffic) however clarified that no charges were levied on the commuters for use of these vehicles. He also assured to take up the matter with the concerned departments.
On the legality of government vehicles being used for commercial purposes with temporary registration number, Lyngdoh said, “As far as I am concerned these vehicles have permanent registration numbers and not temporary ones.”
He also reiterated that the SPTS buses and the maxi taxis could hardly be called commercial as they were charging less fare than the local cabbies and the city buses.