Acting on complaints of fare overcharging by travel agencies and the use of tinted glasses and curtains in buses, Dr. Mohd. Haseeb Mughal, IPS, DIG Traffic Range Jammu, conducted a surprise inspection at Jammu Bus Stand.
As per the statement issued here, He was accompanied by Mohd. Fiesel Qureshi-JKPS, SSP Traffic City Jammu, Arvinder Singh Kotwal-JKPS, Addl. SP Traffic City Jammu, Ms Anubhuti, DySP Traffic City North Jammu, Sh. Vikram Singh Bhau-JKPS, SDPO City North Jammu, SHO P/S Bus Stand and DTI Bus Stand Jammu visited at Bus Stand Jammu for checking of the fares being charged from the interstate passengers owing to shortage of passenger vehicles due to ongoing festive season.
DIG Traffic Jammu inspected the travel operators stalls, offices and looked for the rate lists for various routes they are plying their services. During the exercise it was found that Rate lists are missing from these stalls, offices. On the spot interaction was held with the travel operators and it was made clear to them that they shall display the Govt approved Rate lists at Prominent places within three Days, failing which the strict legal action shall be initiated against them. While speaking on the occasions said that during the inspection, most of the dealers/operators of the travel agencies were interacted, checked the counter foils of the booking receipts to verify the aspect of overcharging of fares. He further said that all the travel agency operators shall charge only Govt approved rates for the different destination otherwise face the legal action.
They were also briefed to ensure that all the passenger vehicles must comply the guidelines of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India issued in case titled Avishek Goenka Vs Union of India & Anr 2012, the relevant part of which is as under:
“We have no hesitation in holding that use of black films or any other material upon safety glass, windscreen and side windows is impermissible. In terms of Rule 100 (2), 70 per cent and 50 per cent VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) standard are relatable to the manufacture of the safety glasses for the windshields (front and rear) and the side windows respectively. Use of films or any other material upon the windscreen or the side windows is impermissible in law. It is the VLT of the safety glass without any additional material being pasted upon the safety glasses which must conform with manufacture specifications”
Further, DIG Traffic Jammu also directed Dy. SP Traffic City North Jammu/DTI Bus Stand to install helpline numbers of Traffic Police at conspicuous places for public assistance and grievances regarding the overcharging of fare issue.
During the inspection of records of the travel agencies, the GST filing were also found lacking. Dy.SP Traffic City North Jammu, SHO P/S Bus Stand Jammu and DTI Bus Stand Jammu were directed to verify the authenticity and registration of each travel agency to ensure that the registration conditions of travel agencies are fulfilled to avoid any chaos and confusion and to ensure transparency in the transaction process in this regard, he added.
DIG Traffic Range Jammu also said that since Jammu City is famous for religious tourism, necessary directions have been given to the field traffic Police officer that no unregistered and illegal operation of travel agency be allowed to operate at Bus Stand Jammu. DIG Traffic Jammu said that the inspection tour has been conducted for the convenience and safety of the commuters.
Lastly, DIG Traffic Jammu also said that SSP Traffic City Jammu has also been directed to ensure that the fare rate list and the traffic Police helpline numbers should also be got displayed in the Bus stand premises near ticket counters for the awareness of the general public.
Such drives, tours, inspection of Tour operators shall be made at regular intervals so as to make the Tour Operators fully compliant of the Govt norms and directives. The DIG sought the cooperation of the all such stakeholders so as to make the drive purposeful and satisfying for the commuters.
