Political parties protest against high toll-taxes

KURSEONG

25 Nov 2013

Several political parties today protested against the high toll-taxes which has been decided to be collected from December 1 by the GTA at Rohini road. The Hills Congress had protested on Sunday and decided to meet the concerned department of the GTA demanding reduction of the presently decided toll rates. The Hill convener of Congress Saroj Khati said the high toll rates will be a burden on the commuters.

Protesting against the same issue, the Trinamool Congress started pasting posters across Kurseong today. A team of Hill TMC leaders led by sub-division convener Kundan Mangrati today submitted a deputation to the Kurseong SDO U Swaroop and said the party is not happy with the present decided toll-tax. He added, “Paying Rs. 200 to 300 as toll-tax everyday is a burden for all the vehicle drivers. The rates should be reduced to Rs. 5 to 50 per day as there are a lot of vehicles crossing the toll booth daily.”

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist leadership also criticized the rates of the toll taxes and said that if the rate is not corrected, than they will start an agitation. CPRM spokesperson Govind Chettri said, “If the GTA is concerned about the development and interest of the Gorkha Community then the toll-tax rate should not exceed Rs.1.” He added, “Even at the rate of Rs.1, money worth lakhs will be accumulated which is enough for proper maintenance of the road.” Further, the high toll tax is injustice to the common people as it will burden them in the name of development. “Such activities indicate what these people can do if a separate state of Gorkhaland is formed,” said Chettri.