Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, has stated that although electronic toll plazas won’t be removed, the Government is still considering steps to provide some relief to transporters. However, he has not elaborated on the nature of relief to be provided.
Addressing the two-day annual convention of the All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA), with its theme “Effective Governance for Efficient Transport” held in New Delhi, Mr. Gadkari said the Government is converting tolls into e-tolls to help reduce time and the fuel cost. With the use of the latest technology, the Government would strive to make the work of transporters and logistics players easier by reducing fuel costs.
The Minister also advised transporters to use biofuels like ethanol that will help them save money as well as reduce pollution. His Ministry would seek to reduce the traffic burden on roads and promote water transportation which costs barely 50 paise per km as compared to a rupee by rail and Rs. 1.5 by road.
The new Road Transport and Safety Bill 2015 does not violate the rights of the States. Inter-state contract carriage permits are proposed to be issued by the National Transport Authority and the revenues provided therefrom would be transferred to the States concerned on the lines of the National Permit System for goods carriers, he added.
The first session of the convention was attended by officials like Mr. Vijay Chibber (Secretary (MoRTH), Mr. L.C. Goyal (Secretary – Home) and Mr. Sanjay Bandopadhyaya (Jt. Secretary – MoRTH).
Touching on the problems of the road transport industry, Mr. Pradeep Singal, National President, AITWA, observed: “The industry is going through a tough period because of the inaction on the part of the Government with regard to tackling of various issues. It is strange that every State in India has different rules when it comes to road transport. We, considered the backbone of the economy, move essential commodities across India. Yet we are stopped at check-posts that are set up at frequent intervals. The goods carried or the documents do not change. Hence there is no need for any check-posts. We have been seeking seamless movement of trucks across India, but nothing concrete has emerged as yet.”
Mr. Ashok Gupta, AITWA General Secretary, said: “The road transport industry had vehemently protested against deduction of TDS from truckers. After understanding the issue, the Government decided to drop the same a few years ago. However in the recent budget, the same has been reintroduced and it will have serious repercussions. Instead of simplifying the paperwork and operations, the Government is further complicating the operations and increasing the work burden on the industry. The margins in the industry are very low and their direct costs including diesel, tyres, lubricants etc are over 90%. Deducting of 2% TDS on the entire amount is illogical and leaves the transporter paying the TDS from his own pockets. Most companies and truck operators in the country do not use systems for accounting purposes. They may not be in a position to calculate the TDS and claim refunds, which again requires a lot of paperwork and calculations. Eventually, the Government will pocket a lot of unclaimed amount as the truckers will not be able to claim refund because of various operational issues.”
Mr. Ramesh Agarwal, AITWA Chairman, in his address, said: “It is unfortunate that our drivers and cleaners are killed in road incidents. However, we are unable to even report these incidents as the police refuse to file complaints. As a result, we are unable to claim insurance, and it gets increasingly difficult to face our customers. We would request the Government to make a provision wherein the police should be duty-bound to accept all complaints and lodge a ‘Zero FIR’.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Goyal proposed setting up of such a structure in the Home Ministry. “I am aware of the problems faced by the sector. That is mainly because there is no institutional mechanism for a continuous dialogue between transporters, the law enforcement agencies and the policymakers. Such structures are grossly lacking at the Central and State levels. It has to be put in place as early as possible. I am going to set up one in my Ministry. There would be a task force headed by a Joint Secretary. There would also be Joint Secretary-level representation of the Delhi Police, DDA, Urban Development, Surface Transport, NDMC, MCD, etc. Such a mechanism would enable consultation among all the stakeholders involved”.
He also advocated the need to form a driver welfare fund and appreciated the overall Central approach, saying the country is going through a ‘phase of hope’ with a tangible ‘sense of urgency’ among the bureaucrats.
He further observed: “Everyone thinks the country would come to a level where GDP would be more than eight per cent in the next two-three years. The transport sector, which accounts for nearly six per cent of the GDP, has a vital role to play in this sphere.”
The valedictory session was presided over by Mr. Ram Niwas Goel, Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly.
The two-day event also had the presence of sponsor-cum-exhibitors like Mapmyindia, Binary Semantics and Eicher (with Pro Series display outside the hall) and Safexpress.
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