Shimla. The Sikh government in Himachal Pradesh is under constant siege over one issue or the other. Recently the toilet seat tax was followed by the samosa incident. Sukho government got out of these two problems, but now it is stuck in problems like heaters and cookers. There has been a debate all over the issue of deducting tickets for heaters and cookers in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. Importantly, after the toilet seat and samosa incident, the government is facing criticism on both these issues.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur took to social media to attack the government after his pressure cooker ticket was canceled and shared the ticket with his belongings. After the whole uproar, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that opposition people have a bigger problem with HRTC these days. Targeting the opposition leader, he said that it is being said that kicker’s ticket has been cancelled, there is a limit to lies. Opposition is trying to defame HRTC. The Driver Conductor Union has demanded that a case be registered over the matter. Mukesh Agnihotri took aim and said that raising such issues will not bring power to Jairam Thakur.
Advising Deputy Chief Minister on pressure cooker ticket controversy, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said it is clear how much Mukesh Agnihotri is lying. The fare is deducted by the ticket conductor and paid by the passenger. We will also send evidence to the CM and Deputy CM if required. It is unethical to lie while holding such a position.
HRTC Baggage Policy: ‘Conductor did the right thing…’ HRTC says why Rs 264 ticket deducted from student carrying heater?
The administration issued a clarification on the controversy.
After the whole ruckus, the managing director issued instructions to his officers and asked them to inform their drivers and conductors about the baggage policy. There is no fare for carrying household goods up to 30 kg along with the passenger in HRTC buses. Corporation management has clarified the situation regarding the misconceptions being spread on social media. All the RMs and DMs of the state have been instructed by the corporation management to follow the conductor baggage policy properly. The management clarified that this is explained in column no. 24 of the baggage policy. 2 bags of 30 kg baggage with one passenger will not carry any fare, but still misunderstandings are being spread and the image of HRTC is tarnished.
After canceling kicker tickets, the management has given an explanation.
Two cases were reported, much criticized.
There was a lot of controversy over the ticket for the cooker in the market and a student traveling from Shimla to Dharamshala was charged an extra fare of Rs 264. However, the HRTC held that there was a baggage policy case for carrying heaters on the Shimla-Dharamsala bus route, where the fare was charged only under the baggage policy. Students had five bags, a heater and a table and were charged the correct fare. On the other hand, CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s media advisor Naresh Chauhan on Thursday took the BJP to task over the issue and said that it is not the level of the opposition leader and it is not an issue. He said that the opposition is devoid of mind. Naresh Chauhan said that the probe into the cooker and heater ticket case has revealed that the traveling passengers were carrying more than 30 kg of luggage. There is no ticket for baggage up to 30 kg.
Tags: Himachal Politics, Sukhwinder Singh Sukho, World Toilet Day
First Publication: December 13, 2024, 12:10 IST
