MANDI BAHAUDDIN, Nov 22 (INP): Transporters wheel jam strike entered fourth day Saturday as they are not willing to accept reduced fare as fixed by government to provide relief to public in wake of reduction in petroleum products.

The strike started when District Regional Transport Authority fined vehicle drivers for overcharging passengers. A transporter and member of Transporters Union Shaukat Ranjha said that they had reduced 10% fare and were charging passengers accordingly. He alleged that DRTA crackdown against transporters on the plea of violating fixed fare rates was not justified. He said their vehicles were being impounded and fine imposed on them was being received without giving receipt.

However, a spokesperson of DRTA, said transporters charged the old rates and did not comply with the reduced rates fixed by the Government. He said allegation that receipt for recovered fine was not given was totally baseless as receipt for the fine was handed over to the delinquents at the spot. He said RTA staff had been strictly instructed to take action against transporters who were not abiding by reduced rates.

Meanwhile members of civil society supported RTA crack down against the transporters for over charging the passengers. Secretary Kisan Wing Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society Mukhtar Virk said that transport Mafia was very strong and with political backing they did not care to follow law. He said transporters union comprises big transporters who in addition to overcharging the passengers extort Rs 300 to 500 per vehicle as Adda fee from drivers when they leave the adda with passengers. He said public support the RTA staff for their action against transporters who violate fixed rates of fare. He also urged RTA to take action against transport mafia for compelling small transporters not to run their vehicles.

INP