The opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) today repeated its demand that the state government scrap a Rs 10,000 fine imposed on taxi drivers whose permits expired during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The matter was taken up today by Umroi MLA George Lyngdoh, who said, “I demand that whatever fine that has been imposed 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.”
Earlier this month, TMC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale called such fines illegal as they go against central government rules.
According to Gokhale, a notification in September 2021 by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways directed all states to “extend the validity of all motor vehicle documents including taxi permits which were expiring during the Covid-19 pandemic period to 30th of September, 2021.”
Taxi drivers have been trying to get the government to make a U-turn for the past several months but have only received assurances that their plea will be looked into.
“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 Assembly,” Lyngdoh said. “It shows the apathy of the state government towards the tourist taxi drivers and common man.”
He also described the fines as “illogical and unethical” as they are hitting the drivers at a time when inflation and high price of fuel are hurting them.
Lyngdoh accused the government of stalling the issue, saying that it would be a simple decision to waive the fines but has been made complicated by the administration.
