IMPHAL January 25: Transporters and Drivers Forum has condemned the statement from Transporter and Drivers Council president against the principal home secretary and rehabilitation director on payment of compensation for vehicles damaged during the economic blockades.
Speaking to media persons at the forum’s office at Moirangkhom, spokesperson N Jati stated that the body was formed along with various other transporters’ unit to provide compensation for vehicles burnt during the economic blockade in the year 2011 along the national highways 2 and 37.
He continued stating that in 2011, the forum along with ministers met the state chief minister regarding payment of the compensation for damaged vehicles on two occasions. After the meeting, the chief minister agreed to provide compensation to the owners of the vehicles.
The government has reportedly provided compensation for 29 vehicles in the first phase to the tune of Rs 1,70,15,870 through the TDF on November 20, 2012, he said.
He further asked the motive behind the TDC allegation levelled against the forum, principal secretary (home ) and director rehabilitation. He said the charges are baseless as the government had already provided the compensation.
Further, the compensation for owners of another 10 vehicles that suffered damages during the same period were provided through the forum in the second phase, according to Jati.
He continued that regarding the compensation in the second phase they had made notification for submission of necessary documents to the forum on or before January 27 through various local newspapers.
He also said that the owners who failed to present themselves with the necessary documents before the deadline will not be entertained and the amount will be returned to the government.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons a transporter, Md Anwar of Silchar said his loaded vehicle was razed along the National Highway 37 during the 2011 economic blockade and he had came from Silchar after he saw the news items that the compensation were to be handed over to the owner through the handa of transporters and drivers forum. He said he had been staying in Imphal from some days back.
After reaching Imphal he along with his driver met the officials of the forum and found out that his vehicle was not among those listed in the second phase.
After enquiry, he found out that the compensation for his damaged vehicles had been allotted in the first batch which was handed over by the state government to the TDC on November, 20, 2012.
He found out that his vehicles registration number MZ-05-6156 was on serial number 21 of the first batch compensation list and an amount of Rs 8,33,000 had been sanctioned.
He continued saying that till today he has not been informed by the TDC members about the compensation and not received a single paisa till date. He appealed to the concerned authority to probe the matter.
