In a bid to support cashless economy and bring in transparency in the collection of toll, a federation of 288 associations related to trucks and tempos has suggested to the Centre to issue annual toll permits or charge a cess on fuel.
Senior vice president of the Federation, Raman Khosla said, there has been no response from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as yet.
Khosla said the transport business is badly affected by demonetisation and drivers are facing problems while paying toll as booth operators do not have change of Rs 2000 and thus refuse to accept high denomination currency.
“To overcome the problems and to support the cashless economy, we have suggested union minister for road transport Gadkari to issue an annual toll permit or charge cess on diesel from four wheelers which are engaged in transport business,” Khosla said.
He added that the suggestions also include government giving exemption to private cars from toll levy.
“We want to save fuel and man-hours which usually get wasted in queues at toll booth. Increase in pollution at toll booths is another issue,” he said.
A meeting was held on Monday in which representatives of Maharashtra Rajya Truck, Tempo, Tankers, Bus Vahtuk Mahasangh (State level Transport Federation) and members from associations were present. Various issues were discussed in the meeting and it was decided to convince Gadkari and Fadnavis over this issue.
After demonetisation, all vehicles were exempted from toll tax from midnight of November 8 to 15 and during the 8 days, fuel worth Rs 3 crore in Maharashtra alone was saved, claimed Khosla.
Annual toll permits will save both fuel and man-hours and hence we also met Fadnavis last week, but have not received a reply from them as yet, he said.
If approved, the scheme will be applicable to vehicles having an All India Permit. There are 40 lakh vehicles registered under 228 associations affiliated to the federation.
