Raikot bus stand contractor accused of levying unjust penalties

Visitors at the Noora Maahi Bus Stand here have locked horns with the authorities concerned over permission to allow private vehicles to drop elderly and sick patients at terminals. Visitors alleged that employees of contractors were charging arbitrary penalties without seeking permission from the authorities concerned.

Residents said, ignoring all guidelines on the matter, the contractor’s employees quoted police officials for charging penalties from owners of vehicles entering the bus stand premises.

Amandeep Singh, executive officer, Municipal Council, Raikot, who has additional charge of two more councils outside the district, said the contract for collection of the ‘adda fee’ from buses entering the bus stand had been given to a private contractor, but no instructions were given regarding imposition of any penalty. “Though we have not received any complaint regarding the imposition of a penalty for the unauthorised entry of private vehicles, we have advised the personnel concerned in our office to look into the matter and act accordingly,” said Amandeep, maintaining that private vehicles were not allowed to enter the premises of the bus stand to avoid mishaps and unauthorised activities.

Residents alleged that the contractor had been duping the authorities concerned by collecting money on the pretext of fines and penalties from owners of private vehicles entering the bus stand erroneously or deliberately.

Resham Singh of Buraj Village alleged that he was made to pay Rs 100 as a fine when one of his friends erroneously took his motorcycle inside the bus stand on Thursday. “When we asked the employee charging the fine, he was told that they were authorised by police officials and municipal council authorities to charge a fine from all private vehicles entering the bus stand premises,” said Resham, alleging that the contractor’s employee could not present any instructions issued on the subject.

A receipt purportedly issued by the contractor suggested that 1,309 persons had been charged Rs 100 each for wrong entry inside the bus stand.