GMC lessees charging exorbitant parking fees!

From a Correspondent

GUWAHATI, May 29: Does the much-talked-about parivartan in the country under the BJP-led government, both at the Centre and in the State, have its impact on the GMC? The lessees of parking lots in the city are collecting parking fees twice the rates fixed.

According to the display of the parking places or in the receipt books, the rate for the parking of three /four wheeler vehicles is Rs. 10 for the first two hours and an additiol amount of Rs. 10 for every subsequent hour per vehicle. But on May 27, the agents of the lessees mely Bipul Haloi charged Rs. 20 as parking fees for only one hour at Baptist Church Parking place at Pan Bazar in front of Pan Bazar police station from the vehicle bearing registration number AS 01MB 6663 vide money receipt number 1324. When the owner of the vehicle asked the agent about the unjustified rate of parking, they simply replied that they were collecting the parking fees at the newly-fixed rate and the signboards and the receipts were in the process of printing. Significantly, the GMC vide order no. GEF/44/2017-2018/84 dated 09.05.2017 has fixed the parking fees at Rs. 5 for first two hours for motorcycle and scooter, Rs. 10 for first two hours for car /van (three/ four wheelers) and Rs. 20 for first two hours for four-wheeler trucks. Within the month of issue of the order, the lessee is forcibly collecting the parking fees at their own will.  

Are the GMC officials aware of the ongoing daylight robbery in the me of collection of parking fees at double rates? Have they taken any decision to enhance the rate of parking fees, that too within the same month?  Has the GMC authorized the lessees to collect Rs. 20 instead of Rs 10, that too for one hour?  These are some pertinent questions often raised by common men before the officials of the GMC.