Ask for more time to comply with rules, flexibility. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Transporters Union has decided to call for a complete strike and take all public transport off the roads from Monday. Taxis, Suzuki vans and auto and motorcycle rickshaws will join the strike against restrictions on CNG kit installations to force the government to devise a clear and workable policy.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Transport Union President Sultan Ali Awan said we were left with no option but call for a complete strike to force the government to accept our demands.
“The solution lies with Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) but they are least bothered about our suffering.” Dozens of meetings have been held between Ogra and transporters’ unions from across the country but every time we reach a compromise, the authority changes its policy after we leave, he alleged.
Last April, Ogra had allowed transporters to install seven cylinders in mini-buses, five in Hiace vans and one in taxis, said Awan. We were allowed to install cylinders in the passenger compartment and on the roof of buses, but since June 5, vehicles with cylinders in passenger compartments are not being refilled,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said transporters are ready to obtain CNG kit fitness certificate but the government should increase the number of workshops. “There are only 10 workshops in the twin cities, while there are over 25,000 vehicles. How can we get a certificate in a day or a week?” Ogra should also take action against workshops selling sub-standard CNG cylinders, he added
The twin cities’ administrations have contacted us to call off the strike, Awan said. “We’ve asked them for a clear policy, flexibility and time to obtain fitness certificates,” he said. The officials assured us that they would discuss the issue with Ogra, he added.
Earlier this week, Ogra had asked the government to impose a complete ban on fuelling public transport vehicles with CNG and directed the transport authorities to launch a massive crackdown against vehicles with uncertified CNG and LPG cylinders.
Awan claimed that the transporters’ union of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Punjab would also join the strike which would continue till a workable policy was devised if they failed to reach a settlement with Ogra. When contacted, the Ogra spokesperson said he could no longer comment on the issue.
Commuters continued to suffer as public transport remained off the road on the third consecutive day of the strike on Saturday. The only options available to commuters were taxis and auto-rickshaws. Drivers charged exorbitant fares which the commuters paid despite terming it an injustice.
“The government should sort out this issue to facilitate commuters,” said Muhammad Aslam, a technician at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. Paying higher fares is the only option left with commuters.
Regional Transport Authority Secretary Awais Tarar, when contacted, said they would address some of the issues transporters were facing. “We’ll increase the number of workshops to facilitate them.” We won’t be able to resolve issues related to the Islamabad High Court’s order or Ogra rules, however, he said. “We suggest transporters file an appeal in court instead of going on strike.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2013.
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