Tourism stakeholders demand waiver of road tax for commercial vehicles in North Bengal

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 14 July 2020 | Darjeeling: Tourism stakeholders of North Bengal on Tuesday requested for a waiver of road tax for commercial vehicles for three quarters. 

They have also stated that a roadmap needs to be developed in consultation with different stakeholders and local communities so that the tourism could restart in a uniform and phase wise manner. 

Representatives of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN) met tourism minister Gautam Deb in Siliguri on Tuesday to discuss various issues pertaining to development. 

"We wanted to apprise the tourism minister of the plight of the taxi operators of North Bengal. There are around 3,000 taxis operational in North Bengal. Majority of the taxis in this region are dependent on tourists. Owing to the lockdown tourism has come to a grinding halt and so have the taxis," stated Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary, HHTDN. 

Under the circumstances the taxi operators are not in a condition to pay road tax. Some who decided to pay found out that they would have to pay penalty, remarked Sanyal. 

"We have requested the tourism minister for a waiver of road tax for commercial vehicles till December (three quarters) and that penalty should not be charged at all. Most do not have the money to pay road tax, how will they pay penalty?" questioned Sanyal. 

The organisation has also requested the minister for a concrete roadmap for reopening the tourism sector. T

here have been instances where certain areas have been opened up for tourism and then closed down hurriedly, facing objections from local communities owing to fear of transmission of the disease.

 "We have to devise a concrete roadmap in consultation with all stakeholders including local communities. This will enable us to develop standard operating procedures and a roadmap that is uniform for the region" added Sanyal. 

The tourism minister assured the team that he will talk to the transport minister of Bengal regarding the waiver. He has also assured to hold a meeting with all tourism stakeholders and local communities after a week to prepare a roadmap. 

(Courtesy & source- Millenium Post-http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/tourism-stakeholders-demand-waiver-of-road-tax-for-commercial-vehicles-in-north-bengal-412780)