Government to collect passenger tax through ARTOs
By: Tariq Shah VOV
Srinagar
Assistant Regional Transport Officers have been asked by the authorities to launch massive drives for the collection of passenger tax. The government has also asked them that they should ensure ‘Vehicle Tracking Device’ be installed in all commercial vehicles.
The government is trying to collect the taxes from all the sectors but the transporters have been pleading with the authorities that they should get some time so that they are financially sound to pay the taxes.
Due to the lockdowns, the transport sector has been the worst hit and in Kashmir valley since August 4, 2019 this sector has suffered huge losses and now the decision of the government to collect the taxes from them will not help them to come out of the red.
Official sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a review meeting of the Transport Department was chaired by Commissioner Secretary to the Transport Department in which various decisions were taken.
All Assistant Regional Transport Officers have been directed to implement the decisions taken in the meeting in letter and spirit.
ARTOs have been directed to launch an intensive driver to collect passenger tax. They have been directed not to renew route permits, not to allow transfer and fitness of vehicles unless the passenger tax due is deposited by the vehicle owners.
Besides, all ARTOs have been directed to ensure that ‘Vehicle Tracking Device’ is installed in all commercial vehicles as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
With KNT inputs
