Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (SP)

Brahmavar, Feb 16: Heddari Jagruthi Samithi has placed a demand to suspend toll collection from the locals at the Sastan tollgate till the Disha meeting is convened and a decision is arrived at. If the officials are adamant on toll collection, the Samithi proposed to launch agitation by way of refusing to pay toll charges.

A meeting of the members of Sastan Heddari Jagruthi Samithi and police personnel was held at Kota police station in the light of the fact that FASTag has been made compulsory at all the toll gates from February 15. The Samithi members insisted that the toll concession extended to the locals so far should be continued and stiffly resisted attempt to levy toll charges on the locals.

But the Navayuga officials who are responsible for toll collection said that concessions cannot be extended as FASTag has been made mandatory.

As the meeting failed to reach a consensus, the meeting was held under the leadership of Brahmavar police circle inspector Anantapadmanabha. Even at this meeting, the Samithi members stayed firm on their earlier demand. They said that any decision on FASTag has to be decided at the Disha meeting in which district level people's representatives and MP participate. In the absence of such a meeting, they said they are outright opposed to toll collection and that toll collection from the locals would not be allowed. Anantapadmanabha thereafter asked the Navayuga company representatives to maintain status quo till the Disha meeting chaired by the MP is held.

The Navayuga staff said they would discuss with higher authorities and inform their stand on Monday.

Samithi meeting

On Monday, the Samithi organized an emergency meeting at Shivakria Hall, Sastan where the Samithi president, Shyamasundar Nairy, said that the Navayuga had said they would inform further decision by Monday. He said there are indications that toll would be collected even from vehicles from the local zilla panchayat constituency limits. He called upon the members to park their vehicles on Tuesday near the toll plaza and undertake protest by way of denying payment of toll charges.

At the meeting, the negligence of people's representatives towards the plight of the road users was condemned. The locals said they have to pay heavy toll charges as they have to cross the tollgate several times every day. They wanted the local people's representatives, legislators and MP to take a decision that is in favour of the common people.