Srinagar, Dec 5: Disappointed by the authorities concerned for delay in approval of a taxi stand in the area, Drivers Association Vowsa Rangreth here face threat to their livelihood and means to sustain their families.
 With government failing to address unemployment problem, scores of educated jobless youth from the area had taken loan from financial institutions and some had even sold their property to arrange money for buying vehicles (mini cabs) like Tata Sumos, Taveras, Xylos, Innovas  to earn livelihood.
 A delegation of aggrieved drivers said they were providing transport service to passengers from old Airport to Jammu and also to visitors arriving here for sightseeing.
 “But for past some months the ARTO concerned is not permitting us to use land, which we had hired for vehicle parking. We had arranged money after great difficulties but now we have nowhere to go,” they said adding more than 15 educated youth had taken initiative to establish themselves in the sector.
 “We have already got NoC for the land from authorities concerned. But neither can we keep our cars on road nor are we given the permission for parking lot. Every now and then government makes hollow promises to help youth to establish themselves in private sector. Why are we being left high and dry now?” they asked.
 The cabs are also pressed into service during late hours to ferry employees of different private and public sector institutions set up in the area, they said.
 Despite repeated attempts the ARTO couldn’t be contacted for comments. However his office people while refuting the allegations levelled by the Rangreth youth said, they were yet to be clear the formalities.
 Meanwhile the complainants have appealed the District Development Commissioner Budgam Muhammad Rafi and SSP Budgam Uttam Chand to personally look into the matter so that the “unemployed youth aren’t forced to stage roadside protests.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST