PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Following the State Transport Authority’s recent order fixing fares for school buses and vans, operators of school vans under the leadership of, the State president of the Uttarakhand School Van Association, Sachin Gupta staged a gherao at the Regional Transport office in Dehradun on Friday. The protest was against the department’s decision on monthly fares for school vans. The STA, Uttarakhand as per a high court order, had fixed fares according to kilometres for school buses and vans, but the decision has affected school van operators, prompting the agitation.
Meanwhile, the RTO officials assured them that their concerns would be presented to higher authorities.
Gupta said that during the demonstration they informed Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Chakrapani Mishra, who came to receive a memorandum at that time that while the Uttarakhand government is implementing special schemes to employ youth, supported by subsidies, the livelihood of those who own and drive school vans—many of whom have taken out bank loans—remains at risk due to the Transport department’s arbitrary decisions.
Gupta stated that the new rules imposed by the department are creating a financial burden for drivers every day. Further, the department released the monthly fee for school vans without adequate research or consultation. The School Van Association was not invited to the RTA meeting where this crucial decision was made, he said. Gupta also informed ARTO that the minimum fee fixed by the department will not only make it challenging for drivers to support their families but will also fail to cover their operational costs. Consequently, this situation may force school drivers to abandon their employment and surrender their maxi cab permits.
Gupta warned that if the Transport department does not stop the imposed fees promptly, the Uttarakhand School Van Association will be compelled to protest against the department and the responsibility for such actions will rest solely with the Transport department.
Further, RTO officials said that the protesting delegation submitted a memorandum to the ARTO Mishra. During this, ARTO assured them that their concerns would be presented to higher authorities for consideration.
