Uravakonda True Times India, October 10.
The protest by the Sri Sai Light Motor Vehicles (L.M.V.) Operators in Uravakonda town, who have been legally running their vehicles for years to earn a living, has intensified. The operators are distressed that the illegal transport racket run by private vehicles, which have sprouted up in violation of regulations, is not only threatening the livelihoods of their 150 families but is also pushing the Uravakonda RTC (Road Transport Corporation) depot into a massive financial crisis.
Illegal Transport - Huge Loss to RTC
Some individuals from Jallipalli village in the Kuderu mandal are behind this illegal transport operation. They are running approximately 34 Maruti Ertiga CNG cars and conducting their business freely between Uravakonda and Anantapuram.
* Estimated Loss: This illegal transport is causing an estimated annual loss of ₹3.85 crores to the RTC. The victims state that if this situation continues, the government is bound to incur a massive loss of ₹15.4 crores in the next four years.
* Excessive Charges: The private car operators are collecting ₹100 from each passenger and are reportedly amassing crores without paying any road tax.
Meanwhile, RTC officials and staff are expressing despair, stating that this illegal transport is like a further blow ('a pounding with a pestle on an infected sore') at a time when the RTC's revenue has already dropped due to the Mahila Shakti scheme (free bus travel for women), making it difficult to even cover the fuel costs for the vehicles.
The Plight of Legal Operators: Why the Neglect Despite Crores in Tax Paid?
The Sri Sai Light Motor Vehicles Operators, who have been conducting their business legally for decades, explained their situation:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Period of Operation | 30 to 40 years |
| Statutory Tax | Road tax of approximately ₹9,685 every 3 months |
| Annual Tax | Each operator pays around ₹1,16,220 annually. |
| Concern | Loss of livelihood, coupled with the authorities' failure to curb the illegal operation despite them paying tax to the government. |
The Helpless Situation of Officials
RTC and RTO (Transport Department) officials are left helpless in controlling the illegal transport.
* Complaint to MD: Recently, when RTC MD Dwaraka Tirumala Rao visited the Uravakonda depot for inspection, private vehicle operators brought this issue to his attention. However, local officials have still not been able to take any restrictive measures.
* Private Agreement: The operators have attached a copy of an agreement that seems to have been made between the people running the illegal transport. Although it is clear that this is not an official permit issued by the government or the transport department, the question of who authorized this illegal transport remains unanswered.
Local vs. Non-Local Conflict
This issue, along with the RTC's losses and tax evasion, has led to a conflict for dominance between locals (Uravakonda operators) and non-locals (Jallipalli operators). The victims demand that the relevant authorities must immediately stop the financial exploitation of the depot and ensure justice for the nearly 150 families.
The Light Motor Vehicle operators are warning that if the concerned officials do not immediately respond and take action against the 34 illegally operating Ertiga CNG cars, they will intensify their protest activities on a large scale.
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