Defualting bus operators to be penalised: Kapoor

Shimla, May 26 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister Kishen Kapoor today said those private bus operators paying their tax liabilities in time would be awarded, while defaulters would invite stringent action.

He said this while reviewing the revenue generation targets fixed for this financial year besides achievements of the transport department during the previous financial year.

Mr Kapoor called upon all the RTOs to make sincere efforts for achieving the targets fixed for them in a time bound manner.

Congratulating the officers of the department for achieving third position in the state for generating revenue, he said there was still scope for increasing the revenue by State Transport Authority.

He said the department had prepared a comprehensive note for the first time which would facilitate the officials making the targets clear for them besides removing shortcomings in their functioning.

The Minister also directed the officers to initiate serious action against defaulting bus operators by issuing notices to them within ten days having tax liabilities for more than Rs one lakh Informations regarding tax recoveries should also be communicated to Directorate, Transport regularly, he added.

Mr Kapoor also directed the RTOs to ensure ticket distribution to commuters in private buses as well as charging of bus fares fixed by the government, besides, conducting surprise inspections of private buses and Driving Training Schools to ensure high quality training in them.

Mr Rajender Singh, Director Transport, said the department had fixed revenue collection of Rs 136.50 crore for this year, adding that a sum of Rs 217.81 lakh had already been collected as Special Road Tax in April this year.

UNI AS PS RL AS1923