NPP to stage one day protest dharna on 03 June outside NHAI office Jammu* NPP will launch aggressive agitation against Hike in toll tax at Ban toll plaza: Mankotia

Akshay Mahajan

UDHAMPUR, 27 May: Reiterating the demand to revise the rates of toll tax at ban toll plaza, Former MLA & NPP President Balwant Singh Mankotia informed that Panthers Party is going to stage one day protest dharna outside the office of NHAI at Channi Jammu on 03 June at 11:00 am.

While addressing a press conference at Udhampur, Former MLA & NPP President Balwant Singh Mankotia cautioned to revise the rates of toll tax at ban toll plaza and informed that Panthers Party is deeply concerned over this issue repeatedly submits memorandum many times to concern authorities and continuously roaring on roads against hike in toll tax rate. Mankotia disclosed that last month when he had submitted the memorandum to Project Director NHAI, that time P.D asked assured & appeals to wait till new central Government formation because NHAI works under Union Government & on 30 May the oath ceremony of newly elected government will be held, he added

Mankotia said that few days back in an Innauagrual function of Highway stretch at Kashmir, Governor of the state Shri Satyapal Malik stated that local Kashmiris will be exempted from toll tax & matter is already taken up with center government, While reacting on his statement NPP President Balwant Singh Mankotia expressed his deep anguish over the continous favouritism with Kashmir region & step motherly behaviour with Jammu region, he explained that in Kashmir toll tax for 65 Km stretch is Rs 135 (Both sides) where as between 65 km long Udhampur-Jammu stretch is Rs 200 which is injustice with the people of Udhampur.

Mankotia strongly batted for permanently removal of Ban toll plaza. He said that common man is already paying several taxes such as when he buy new vehicle he has to pay 15 years advance road tax where as then Vajpayee’s led Union Government taken the decision to impose 50 paisa per litre tax on Petrol/Diesel for NH widening from Kashmir to Kanyakumari which is now increased upto ₹ 2, then Why should common man has to pay another tax at toll plaza? , Mankotia asked.

NPP President Mankotia said that gradually increasing of toll tax rates every year at Ban toll plaza is pinching the pocket of common man & it should be revised or remove soon. He also warns for aggressive agitation in future if appropriate action would be not taken after one day dharna on 03 June.

In Last, Mankotia appeals all the citizens to join the one day protest dharna in maximum numbers on 03 June at 11 am outside the office of NHAI, Channi Jammu.

District Vice President Sunil Gudda, Adv. Mahadeep Singh & Sanjay Sharma were also present during press conference.