National integrity and Farooq Abdullah: Letters to THE EDITOR

National integrity and Farooq Abdullah

Farooq Abdullah, the ex-Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, now an M.P. of National Conference recently stated that Kashmir would get back the special status (Article 370) with the help of China and that this is the only reason why Chinese troops are advancing in Ladakh. Further the ex-Chief Minister stated that the act of abolishing Article 370 is never accepted by China expressing his hope that the said Article would soon be restored with the help of China. These statements show Farooq Abdullah in poor light besides postulating his anti-India notion.

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh.

Property cards

It is good to know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a physical distribution of property cards under the SWAMITVA scheme and said that ownership of land and house plays a big role in the development of the country. He added that when there is a record of property, citizens gain confidence and new avenues of investment open. The loan is easily available from the bank on record of property, employment, and self-employment avenues open. This is a good move and a great step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. The scheme will also empower senior citizens, women, and differently-able persons in rural India. Hope that all citizens should support this scheme and will receive property cards.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Democratic strike

On 5th October the All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) called the indefinite chakka bandh. The AAMTA called the bandh from 5 am on Monday demanding fare hike for commercial vehicles, waiver of quarter tax and road tax reduction up to 50 per cent, among others. The impact of the bandh was seen across the State. Secretary of AAMTA said that they are going through a tough time due to pandemic and the lockdown. During these days of chakka bandh many people across state had to face a lot of problems, especially in the morning time when many office-goers were seen waiting for buses. ASTC did provide 650 busses in different districts across the state.

On 6th October the State Transport Minister called a meeting with office-bearers of AAMTA. After the meeting the AAMTA has decided to continue chakka bandh for indefinite times. During the meeting Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary requested the associations to call off their strike. He also assured the associations that their demands would be looked into, but it would take time. He stated that the bus fare cannot be increased as it would not be wise to double the fare immediately in the current situation. He also told them that he would look into all other demands without harming public interest. AAMTA office-bearers urged the minister to carry passengers to their full capacity.

In this situation it has been observed that some government busses were destroyed as only because they were serving people. On 6th October around 10:05 pm at Dibrugarh near Barboruah outpost bike riders broke windshield of an under ASTC bus by throwing stones. ASTC senior officials requested Dibrugarh police to investigate and find the culprit. Also on 8th October an ASTC (AS-20-1731) bus was vandalised by some miscreants. In a country like ours we have full freedom to protest, but protest doesn't mean that we will break government property. Those how do all these, administrations should take proper actions for it.

On 8th the AAMTA has withdrawn the indefinite chakka bandh after the government allowed all modes of public transport to operate with full passenger capacity. The Department of Health and Family Welfare also agreed to the request of Transport department to allow 100 per cent seating capacity in case of all public transport in the State. The High Court has directed the government to take all the necessary steps under the law to stop the strike. The Health department has ordered some guidelines which are as follows –

No vehicle will be allowed to carry passengers more than the allotted seating capacity. Further, no passengers will be allowed to travel standing in the vehicle and the passengers will have to wear mask all the time while on board.

The Transport department said that they would take strict actions in case of any violation. Also the owners of the vehicles will have to ensure the availability of sanitizer in their vehicles. The vehicles will be sanitized after every completion of journey on a particular route. The driver and other staff will wear masks at all the times in the vehicle.

The government have taken all possible necessary steps, now it's the time of citizens and vehicle owners as well as vehicle staff to follow it properly.

Hrishikesh Sarma,

Guwahati.