Himachal taxi operators get reprieve from NGT, call off stir

Taxi operators in Himachal Pradesh, who suspended plying of over 40,000 taxis on Friday in protest against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order restricting the entry of vehicles to the Rohtang Pass, called off their stir after being granted partial relief.

The NGT on Friday granted partial relief to them by staying environment compensation tax on the vehicles, but refused to relax the 1,000-vehicle limit to the Rohtang Pass.

"As per May 5 order of tribunal, each of vehicle which is permitted to Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose shall pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs.1,000 for petrol vehicle and Rs.2,500 for diesel vehicles environmental compensation is stayed till next date of hearing," a bench headed by judicial member Justice U.D. Salvi said.

It listed the matter for next hearing on June 8.

The bench, however, refused to relax the limit of 1,000 vehicles to 2,000 per day as sought by the taxi and luxury coach operators saying it does not find any substance in their contention.

"All taxi, maxi-cab and auto operator unions in the state have joined the day-long strike call of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union of Manali but it was withdrawn later in the day after getting some relief from the NGT," commercial vehicle joint action committee chairman Jeet Ram Sharma told IANS in Shimla.

Thousands of tourists who are holidaying in the hills to escape the scorching heat of the plains were inconvenienced by the strike.

"It was a really harrowing experience on reaching Shimla this (Friday) morning. There was no taxi and the potters were demanding exorbitant fare. The government should make transportation arrangements," Priya Joseph, a tourist from Delhi, said.

On an average, about 10,000 tourists arrive in Shimla and Manali and other popular destination on a single day during the peak tourist season.

Even the indefinite strike by Manali-based Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, which entered the eleventh day on Friday, was called off.

P.C. Thakur, president of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, told IANS that the NGT decision would severely hit the livelihood of over 1,500 taxi drivers and those associated with the hospitality business.

The NGT has allowed restricted movement of 1,000 vehicles, including 600 petrol-driven, for three months from May 15 across the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali.

Each vehicle allowed to the Rohtang Pass for tourism purposes would pay an environmental cess at the rate of Rs.1,000 for petrol vehicles per visit. For diesel vehicles, the cess is Rs.2,500.

The picturesque Rohtang Pass is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Refraining from extending any relief from its order, the NGT on Thursday asked the state government to file a reply on how it would address the grievances of tourist vehicle operators. It was hearing a review petition of the Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union.

During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Surya Narayan Singh, who submitted the state's reply, said lot of tourists were pouring in to Manali and at least for this season, the limit of 1,000 vehicles should be relaxed to 2,000 vehicles.

The bench, however, made it clear that if necessary, it will give only interim relief at this stage till the disposal of the main petition and asked the petitioners' counsel how many members were there in taxi operators' union and the luxury coach operators association.