The State Government has made huge promises to the people, particularly the disaster victims, and continues to do so for their rehabilitation, but post natural calamity the tall promises made by the State Government seem to have not matched its actions on the ground.
For example, the transport sector that plays a key role in State’s economy i.e. in tourism sector and in other areas, had demanded some tax concessions through the regional transport department, Haldwani, following the natural disaster.
Since the occurrence of the natural calamity in different parts of the hill State, over two months have now passed, but the State Government has not yet been able to take a decision in this regard.
Keeping in view the demand of the transporters, the regional transport office (RTO), Haldwani, had recommended hundred per cent concession on tax for six months starting from June to the transporters plying in Pithoragarh, as it is the worst disaster affected district in the Kumaon division under the proposed tax concession plan.
Similarly, this department had demanded three months special tax concession from June onwards for transporters working in rest of the Kumaon Divisions, as the officials concerned informed. But nothing has been done so far.
The State Government is serious about how to help the transporters post natural disaster. A proposal recommending tax concession to the transporters has already been submitted to the Government.
We are waiting for the Government’s response in this regard now, said Sandeep Varma, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Kumaon Divison (Haldwani), while talking to The Pioneer in an exclusive interview.
Though the transporters are paying their tax dues as usual, in case of any relief from the Government on the taxes that they pay in a routine manner, can be adjusted ahead, Varma maintained.
It is worth mention here that transporters particularly the educated but unemployed youths who had purchased commercial vehicles under certain Government loan schemes like the Beer Chand Garhwali loan scheme and deployed their vehicles in tourism sector are the worst sufferers due to this natural disaster as the tourism sector has also suffered badly in this calamity this rainy season.
Such youths who had taken vehicle loans and deployed vehicles in tourism sector are now battling hard to repay their monthly installments as tourist activities have already come down even in less affected areas like Nainitl due to adverse weather conditions, said Pradeep Belwal, a local transporter.
Similarly, other transporters who are engaged in transportation of goods or civil supply in the region are not less affected as due to poor road connectivity mobility continues to remain restricted in hill districts of the Himalayan State, he further said.