Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas today alleged the BJP was doing "injustice" to farmers and labourers as thousands of tractors were seized by the Transport Department and threatened protest if the vehicles are not given back.
"About seven lakh tractor owners are facing livelihood crisis as their vehicles have been seized. They are being charged Rs 200 per day as demurrage for the last three to four months," the Jaipur District Congress President said at a rally here.
"If the tractors are not released, Congress will launch protest and gherao the Vidhan Sabha when the Budget session begins on February 29," Khachariyawas, a former MLA, warned.
When contacted, Regional Transport Officer V P Singh said a PIL against overloading of gravelin tractor-trolleys and unauthorised use of vehicles meant for agriculture purposes was pending in the Rajasthan High Court.
The HC has directed the government to stop non-agriculture use of tractor-trolleys and seize such vehicles. It also directed imposing "compounding ban" on the seized vehicles which means they cannot be released after paying a fine but through legal procedure, he said.
About 200 to 250 tractors were seized by RTO in Jaipur, Tonk, Sawaimadhopur, and Karauli districts in the last one month, Singh said.
"The Transport Department is waiting for the High Court's decision whether to release such vehicles or not," he added.
