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Following the controversy, the HRTC Managing Director directed officers to educate drivers and conductors on the luggage policy which allows passengers to carry up to 30 kg of goods free of charges
Former CM Jairam Thakur took to social media to criticize the government over a ticket charged for carrying a ‘pressure cooker’. (X@jairamthakurbjp)
The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government in Himachal Pradesh has been constantly embroiled in controversy. Following the ‘toilet seat’ tax row and the ‘samosa’ scandal, from which the government managed to extricate itself, the Congress government has now come under another political storm.
A fresh row has erupted over the charging of fares for heaters and cookers on Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses.
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Jairam Thakur took to social media to criticize the government over a ticket charged for carrying a ‘pressure cooker’, sharing an image of the ticket along with the accompanying goods.
शादी के एलबम, बुजुर्गों की दवाई, बच्चों के बस्ते और खिलौने के बाद अब खाना बनाने के लिए इस्तेमाल होने वाले प्रेशर कूकर भी अपने स्थानीय बाजार से ख़रीदकर घर तक ले जाने के लिए भी हिमाचलवासियों को एचआरटीसी की बसों में किराया देना पड़ रहा है। इससे शर्मनाक कृत्य और क्या हो सकता है?… pic.twitter.com/6mi7rQPaKl— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) December 10, 2024
Following the uproar, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri remarked that the opposition seems to have a significant problem with HRTC these days. Taking a jab at the Leader of Opposition, he stated that claims of a cooker fare being charged are simply lies, and that there is a limit to such fabrications.
He accused the opposition of attempting to malign HRTC, and highlighted that the driver-conductor union has demanded the registration of a case in this matter. Agnihotri further asserted that raising such issues will not help Jairam Thakur regain power.
Elaborating on the ‘pressure cooker ticket’ controversy, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur stated that Agnihotri’s lies are evident. He emphasized that the ticket conductor levied a fare, which the passenger paid. Thakur added that they are prepared to send proof to both the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister if required, and that resorting to lies while holding such a position is unethical.
Following the uproar, the HRTC Managing Director instructed his officers to educate drivers and conductors about the luggage policy. HRTC buses permit passengers to carry up to 30 kg of household goods without incurring any additional charges.
The HRTC management clarified the situation, addressing the misconceptions being spread on social media. Instructions were issued to all Regional Managers and Divisional Managers to ensure conductors adhere to the luggage policy.
The management explained that column number 24 of the luggage policy clearly states that passengers are allowed two bags weighing up to 30 kg without any additional fare. Despite this, misconceptions are being spread, tarnishing the image of HRTC.
The issue of a ticket being issued for a cooker in Mandi caused significant controversy. Furthermore, a student travelling from Shimla to Dharamshala was charged an additional fare of Rs 264.
HRTC clarified that the luggage policy was applicable in the case of the heater being transported on the Shimla-Dharamshala route, as the students were carrying five bags, a heater, and a table. The fare charged was deemed appropriate.
CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s media advisor, Naresh Chauhan, criticized the BJP on Thursday, stating that this is not an issue befitting the level of the Leader of Opposition. He accused the opposition of lacking substance and stated that investigations into the cooker and heater ticket case revealed that the passengers involved were carrying over 30 kg of luggage, which exceeds the limit for free luggage allowance.
- Location :
Himachal Pradesh, India
