Corruption and nepotism is ruling the roost in the traffic department with the people who travel in Srinagar- Jammu national high way cry foul over government’s stoic silence over such crises.There are reports, which continue to swell everyday after that the drivers of the commercial transport are being taken for a ride by some officials of the traffic police on the national highway, charging them what otherwise in no where permissible under the norms and rules. Scores of the drivers told Kashmir Leader that despite they being in pos- session of all the relevant documents for the travel, they are being charged heavily sans any justification by the traffic police officials at various check posts.
They said that at first, their vehicles witness the unnecessary halt at the check point Qazigund wherein some traffic police officials charge them rupees hundred. Same process is repeated at the Banihal check point- fol- lowed by the check point at Ramsoo and then Ramban. It doesn’t end here but continues as the driver passes through the areas including Batote, Kud, Chenani, Udhampur and Nag- roota. Same process is repeated when the drivers travel from Jammu to Srinagar. Such ironical practice is done de- spite the tall claims of the government over curbing the corruption menace in the state and punishing the involved.
People witnesses such a trend have developed a mindset that the claims of the government are farce in natural with no one taking the charge to up- root the corrupt practices which rule the roost sans any remorse. Drivers said that the new term has been coined by the police department on the national high way that they call it ‘Entry’ when a driver is asked to pay rupees 100 at every check post. There are 9 check posts stretched on the na- tional highway. “Even if we have all related documents, they tell us where is our uniform. If we have the uniform, they ask us why is our hair not prop- erly combed. This is bizzare.
The practice must end. Someone has to rein in such men,” said one of the drivers. Reports informed that the drivers of the commercial transport have for several times appraised the concerned authorities about such an apathy. But according to them, there has been no action and the practice continues to make them suffer everytime they travel with the passengers and goods. “I haven’t applied for the government job. I sought loan and purchased a vehicle.
As I have yearning to earn the livelihood, it is really hard to save much as I may 900 to traffic police per trip,” said Manzoor Ahmad. He added that he is in possession of a graduate degree and is mulling to strive for the independent livelihood. The drivers have appealed the concerned authorities to take note of such actions and put lid over such brazen corrupt practices which take place under the broad day light without any scare and without any fear of the ramifications.
