Haryana approves new scheme to improve transport services

Keeping in view the huge demand for passenger transport services, Haryana Government today approved a scheme under which 3,519 permits valid on 1,000 routes will be given to private operators.
The Stage Carriage scheme intends to provide coordinated and efficient road transport services. Under the scheme, 3,519 permits will be offered on about 1,000 routes to private operators, an official release said.
The existing operators will have an option to obtain a permit on any of the routes included in the new scheme in lieu of their existing permit or may continue to ply on their existing routes, it said.

The remaining permits will be allotted to new applicants through a lucky draw. New buses with 20 or more seats fitted with Vehicle Monitoring System will be allowed under the scheme, the release said.
Haryana Roadways will continue to have exclusive jurisdiction on all the inter-State routes included in the new scheme.
Meanwhile, the state cabinet approved the draft of Haryana Motor Vehicles Taxation Bill. The new Act will replace the existing Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1924.

In the new Act, a provision has been kept to levy the tax for any periodicity. State Government would be empowered to fix rates of tax for various vehicles from time to time, a release said.

The Act contains provisions regarding payment of additional tax on revision of rates, liability to pay tax on change of use of motor vehicle and detaining of vehicles in case of non-payment of tax, it said.
The agricultural tractor-trailers, harvesters and other agricultural machinery have been exempted from tax payment, it said.