Published On : Fri, Aug 21st, 2015

Social activists to launch stir against star-bus crisis on Aug 23

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Nagpur: Various social organizations in the city will be staging demonstration on August 23 against M/s Vansh Nimay Infra Private Limited which is responsible for creating star-bus crisis for the citizens (commuters), by failing to deposit with the NMC the outstanding amount of over Rs 8 crore comprising passenger-tax, malnutrition surcharge and motor tax, for the period 2007 to 2014. This outstanding amount in turn has not reached the RTO, Nagpur, and the star bus service is feared to be stand still.

Apprehending this crisis, a delegation of labour organizations as well as social organizations had already met Mayor Pravin Datke on Aug 19 and handed him a memorandum of demand questioning why the NMC was not initiating criminal proceeding against M/s Vansh Nimay Infra Pvt Ltd.

Reiterating the demand, the delegation consisting of NMC Employees Union, Maharashtra Andhshruddha Nirmulan Samiti, Maharashtra Rajya Suraksha Rakshak Kamgar Sangathana, C N I Samaj Sevi Sanstha, NMC Gruh Nirman Sanstha, NMC Evajdar Kamgar Sangthana, Information Resource Centre, Nari Shakti Bahu-uddeshiya Sanstha, Muslim Mahila Mancha, Assembly Kamgar Sanyukta Kruti Samiti, all from Nagpur, again asked for explanation from NMC in the star-bus crisis. The delegation was jointly led by Bhai Anand, Sanjay Shende, Bhi Sheshrao Gotmare, Aradhana Upadhyaya, Shahina Sheikh, Pradeep Hajare, Jitendra Ghorde, Varsha Godghate, Ramesh Gavai and others representing various organizations. A similar delegation had met RTO (city) Chavan on Aug 14 as well in the interest of daily commuters.

It may be mentioned that the NMC and Vansh Nimay Infra Pvt Ltd had entered into a contract on February 9, 2007, according to which the bus service operator (Vansh Nimay Infra) had to deposit with NMC yearly sum total of passengers tax, children malnutrition surcharge and motor tax, and in turn the NMC would deposit the same with the RTO Nagpur.

It was revealed during audit of accounts with RTO that the said account was becoming overdue and not a single rupee of the total outstanding of Rs 8,20,58,617 was deposited with government exchequer.

Despite so much objectionable issue neither the RTO nor the NMC has initiated any criminal proceedings against the defaulter Vansh Nimay Infra Pvt Ltd. This is beyond common man’s understanding, and it is not wrong if the inertia on the part RTO and NMC and even local political leaders is suspected by the citizens.

Local political leaders are elected by the citizens so that the citizens’ interest may be protected, and yet they are keeping quiet. Such an attitude of theirs creates doubt in the minds of citizens. It is doubtful whether they are aware of RTO action under which 90 star buses have been seized, putting the commuters into crisis of their to and fro travels. every day
Though, NMC Employees Union has already filed a complaint against Vansh Nimay Infra with Sadar police station, no action seems to be there. In fact, the NMC should have filed a police complaint.

Frustrated thus, citizens are now resorting to stage demonstration on Aug 23 at Variety Square against this crisis.

Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha(rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com)