Hokhlatri (Beerwah), July 19: Around ten villages in district Budgam have been deprived of transport facility by Beerwah sumo stand.
The villagers of Hokhlatri, Churamujra, Dansura, Danas, Lasipora, Parthan and Ramhuma told ‘Kashmir Images’ that sumo stand owners have snatched transport facility from them after they resisted 50 per cent “unjustified” fair hike.
As per the government order No. ARTO/Bud/2018/9306 dated 04-07-2018, the distance between Beerwah to Hokhlatri is 8 kms and the fair is 16 rupees per passenger. However, according to locals, sumo stand owners have hiked the fair to 25 rupees.
“We were already paying more than the actual fair. We had no problem in paying 20 rupees which is 4 rupees extra than the actual fare, but the sumo stand owners have hiked it to 25 rupees and thereby violatimg the government order,” said a villager Ghulam Mohammad.
Due to the bullying of sumo stand owners, concomitant with negligence of concerned authorities, hundreds of villagers are being compelled to walk upto Beerwah.
Villagers said that the students were the worst sufferers, who are not able to reach their respective institutions on time.
When contacted Assistant Regional Transport Officer Budgam, Mubashir Jan said that the issue would be discussed on Saturday. “I have called both the parties (Sumo stand and villagers) to my office on Saturday. Let’s see what happens,” he added.
