Srinagar, Sep 17 (KNO): In a bid to curb the soaring freight charges for apples, the Transport Department has constituted special enforcement teams to monitor and regulate the situation.
In a communiqué addressed to the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) —a copy of which is in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)—the Transport Commissioner has directed the immediate formation of Special Enforcement Teams to prevent the practice of charging exorbitant and unjustified fares from fruit growers and traders.
“In order to curb this malpractice and safeguard the interests of fruit growers and the trading community, you are hereby directed to immediately constitute Special Enforcement Teams under your jurisdiction. These teams shall conduct frequent and surprise visits to all prominent fruit mandis within their respective areas and ensure that fruit growers and sellers are not harassed or overcharged,” the letter reads.
The enforcement teams have been instructed to submit daily compliance reports to the Transport Commissioner's office without fail.
The ARTO Mauzam Ali in Srinagar has been directed to cover two districts and report any action taken in response to complaints, the communiqué further states.
This move follows directives from Horticulture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar, who urged the Transport Commissioner to address the escalating freight charges affecting apple growers.
Dar, who has been at the forefront of tackling the crisis emerging in Kashmir due to the closure of the highway, told KNO that the government is making every effort to bring freight charges under control.
He said the government will provide State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) trucks to fruit growers upon request.
He further said, “Fruit growers from the Sopore Mandi have requested SRTC trucks, and we have instructed the Transport Commissioner to dispatch the vehicles accordingly.”—(KNO)