Toll Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, which is spearheading the agitation campaign against excessive rates of toll taxes in the State, has decided to go on fast-unto-death at Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s native village Sanghi from March 9 to fight “decisive battle” against the toll authorities.
A decision to this effect was taken at meeting of State executive of the samiti held here at Chhotu Ram Park Chowk. The Samiti office bearers lambasted Chief Minister for not paying any heed to their demands despite knowing the fact that the toll authorities were extorting excessive money from the common man in the name of toll tax.
The Samiti has, these days, been garnering people’s support against the toll taxes by launching signature campaign across the State. Earlier, it had also organised a rally and protest demonstrations at the toll plazas to mount pressure on the authorities for getting their demands accepted.
During the signature campaign in Dighal village near NHAI toll plaza on the Jhajjar-Rohtak road on Monday, Virender Hooda, chief of the Samiti, told media persons that the samiti was left with no other option but to undertake a fast-unto-death to force the authorities for slashing the toll taxes as well as ensuring the free travel on the toll roads for those residing within ambit of 25 kilometre from the toll plazas.
“As per the rules, the toll plaza company can not charge more than 65 paise per kilometer for toll roads but the companies are charging much higher then it taking a toll on common people who have to pay through their nose to travel on these roads,” said Hooda.
He informed that Rewari toll plaza at Gangachay Ahir village was charging Rs90 for return journey while Rohtak toll plaza near Makdauli village was extorting Rs155 for the same from light vehicle which was gross violation of the rules and regulations.
Hooda informed he himself along with other office bearers of the samiti would sit on fast-unto-death near Makdauli toll plaza on March 9 and would not end the fast until their demands were met.