Jammu: Senior Congress leader Mr M K Bhardwaj has demanded abolition of toll-tax as levied in Jammu and Kashmir by the central agencies with the assistance of Lt Governor’s administration. The imposition of toll-tax without taking into account the topographic issues of the Union Territory and paying capacity of its people, is an anti-people measure that needs to be withdrawn immediately.
Addressing a press conference here today he criticised the LG administration for not taking into account people’s sufferings due to heavy losses inflicted by the incessant rains and other weather-related vagaries. The authorities continue to subject the people to heavy toll-tax even when roads and bridges have been damaged and people have to traverse through “kuccha diversions” with great difficulties.
He demanded that the toll-tax in all such areas including including Sarore Toll Plaza affecting the people residing in the rural and urban belt areas of Jammu region should be abolished forthwith. “The toll post at Sarore should be closed immediately pending a government decision to withdraw this tax” he observed.
Describing imposition of toll-tax and installing smart-meters as anti-people measures, he said that the local BJP leaders have will-fully become a partner to such policies that have brought unmitigated sufferings to the people. “It is amazing that sensing serious trouble when people have hit the roads on the issue of toll-tax and smart meters the BJP leaders are now either knocking at the Raj Bhawan doors or demanding suspension of these proposals. Why were they quiet for so long and why did not they oppose these policies at the time of implementation,” he asked.
The manner in which the BJP leaders have now panicked and run helter-skelter shows that the party has lost the confidence of the people. It also reflects that the local BJP leaders have no say in formulating people-centric policies despite having a double engine government at Centre and in J&K, he said.
Mr Bhardwaj ridiculed a BJP leader’s contention that the party was forced to oppose Toll-Tax and smart-meters as the opposition has been found absent. The opposition particularly the Congress has been protesting on roads raising people’s concerns. Even today Mr Rahul Gandhi is touring Ladakh to listen to people’s problems there. It is only the BJP which has lost contact with people and their confidence as they are only interested in sharing spoils of power.
Sh. M.R Qureshi, former MLC and prominent advocate also criticised the policies of the central government and UT administration in ignoring the issues and problems of the people residing in the UT of J&K. He also strongly condemned and criticised the charging of the toll at various toll collection centres in the UT and blamed the BJP government for imposing uncalled for and unreasonable toll tax and installation of prepaid smart meters in the UT of J&K.
Others who were present in the press conference included Sh. Ashok Dubey, a prominent congress leader of Bishnah Constituency, Sh. Umesh Sharma, Advocate, Sardar Baldev Singh Jr, Advocate, Sh. Narinder Sharma (Advocate), Sh. Jeet Raj, a retired central government employee, resident of Bari Brahmana, Sh. Rashpal Sharma, Sh. Surinder Sharma, a social activist of vijaypur, Sh. Srishti Pal Mengi, Advocate were also of the same view.
