Following a meeting between representatives of bar associations of Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Rourkela, the Sundargarh Bar Association on Thursday sent a letter through email to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik giving ultimatum to withdraw toll tax latest by May 25.
It warned of launching agitation from May 26, in all the three toll collection points in Rourkela — Sambalpur Biju Expressway.
Significantly, different forums have been protesting introduction of toll tax on this route and this has been the first attempt to fight the issue unitedly, involving organisations from all the affected areas.
“While the residents of these locality had paid toll tax for about 20 years, after construction of a two lane road, taxing again now after the road converted to a four lane one is completely illegal,” the letter said. It said that most unfortunately, local vehicles and vehicles carrying agricultural produce also are being taxed through this toll tax, which has serious impact on the locals. “Marginal farmers are compelled to pay toll tax, both ways when they are moving in this routes for selling out their vegetables,” the letter added.
President of Sundargarh District Bar Binay Tappo said, “large demonstrations would be staged on May 26 morning at all three toll collection points on Sambalpur-Rourkela roads.”
Rourkela Bar Association president Satya Sharma, Sambalpur Bar Association president B Pradhan, Jharsuguda Bar Association secretary Padmanava Mali, Rajgangpur Bar Association president Purna Chandra Pattnaik, Bonei Bar Association president Bijen Sen took part and signed in the resolution of launching an agitation.