Srinagar, May 08 (KNS): State Secretary CPI(M) Gh Nabi Malik has said that the decision of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to levy toll tax from local vehicles at a newly-established toll plaza on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Sangam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is a harsh move and must be revoked immediately.

In a statement issued to KNS, he said the toll tax shall be collected from only outsiders and not from local people. Such a harsh move will have a tremendous impact on trade and commerce and as such shall be done away with immediately.

“People in Kashmir are already bearing the brunt of twice a week ban on the movement of vehicles on the highway and the new measure will cripple the already fragile economy of the Valley further. The transporters, who have taken their vehicles on loans from different financial institutions and are paying heavy interests, are suffering huge losses due to prevailing situation in Kashmir. The new measure of charging heavy tax from them will be a huge burden on them,” Gh Nabi Malik said.

He said, “If the order is not revoked, the transporters will increase the fare, which will be burden on poor people. We assure the transporters and common people of our full support to protest against this arbitrary decision.” (KNS)