Asking for immediate roll back of toll tax at Sangam Toll Plaza, AIP President Er. Rasheed has said that the move is an indirect attack on the special status of state and also a brazen attempt to further weaken the state economy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday Er Rasheed said thatpaying taxes is duty of every citizen but first government needs to introspectthe fact that J&K is passing through turmoil since long and government hasitself failed miserably to provide better roads to the people of state.
“The worst condition of Jammu Baramulla Highway should be an eye opener for the governmentbefore levying toll tax. It isdisgusting that by just constructing few kilometers of proposed four lane roadgovernment has imposed toll tax on common man,” he said.
Rasheed said that while it is difficult for civilian trafficto operate on most of the roads due to their poor condition, security forceshave also made it impossible for commoners to travel even from one village toanother on the national highway.
“Before giving National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)permission to collect toll tax, government should have taken consent of statelegislature and by not doing so centre is trying to impose its writ on the statein violation of special status, J&K is enjoying,” Rasheed said. “Governmentshould not also forget the fact that J&K is a violence hit state and stateeconomy is also in a shambles as such it must immediately withdraw the orderswithout excuses”.