Chaka Bandh from Monday in Assam: Barak Valley associations to decide participation today

All Assam Motor Transport Association that represents most of the public transport has called for an indefinite Chakka Bundh in Assam from October 5, 2020. Though the strike has been called throughout the state, Barak Valley associations will meet today and take a call.

Kishore Kumar Bhattacharjee of the association said that the issue in Barak Valley are different when compared to Bramhaputra Valley and that is why a local meeting is essential. He added that the commercial vehicles have mostly remained at home because of the lockdowns and now during the Puja season if a Chakka Bandh is followed, then the owners and drivers will go bankrupt.

However, he supports the call for protest as he believes the sector has been ignored by the State government. “Various governments across the country have assured reductions in taxes and many other financial aid to the sector, but the Assam government has not done any of that. We are paying 100% tax but are only allowed to fill 50% seats. So, we should be allowed to charge double fare, that is not allowed either. How is this fair?” shared Bhattacharjee.

The association wants rebates or relaxation of taxes considering the pandemic situation and that is the primary reason they have called for strike. Other core issues, Bhattacharjee said are permission to fill all seats or the fare must be doubled.

“The fuel is available at Rs 84 per litre, by October 15 we need to pay the taxes for the upcoming quarter (Oct – Dec) in the form of advance payment of taxes and yet if we are not allowed to fill full passengers or charge double, how will we survive,” he appealed.

Bhattacharjee said the Police has enhanced its vigilance and if drivers are filling more than 50% passengers they are getting fined.

Apart from the pandemic related issues, Kishore Kumar Bhattacharjee said the owners of Barak Valley is on the receiving side on one more front. “Whenever the Police department requisitions our vehicles, they do not clear the dues. The Deputy Commissioner’s office clears the dues in a timely manner but Superintendent of Police does not. We have not got our dues since 2014 elections. The Police department owes us more than Rs 80 lakh approximately. In Bramhaputra Valley they get the payment on time, we do not get it here,” said Bhattacharjee.

The coming days will tell whether they partipate in chakka bandh or not.