Balurghat toto drivers protest against unprecedented parking fee hike
BALURGHAT: The toto drivers have raised a finger against the Railway nominated parking authority at Balurghat railway station stating that the concerned authority has been involved in collecting extra parking fees from them over the past couple of months. Visibly dissatisfied toto drivers have taken unanimous decision to send a written complaint against the nuisance to the concerned Rail authority of Katihar division very soon.
A rate chart hanging at Balurghat station shows that toto drivers have to pay Rs 2 each for parking their vehicles but the parking authority claims Rs 5 for each toto as it is learnt from the drivers. They said in some cases they are often forced to pay more than Rs 5 during busy hours.
"The parking authority has no right to take money in this way violating the actual rate. The rate chart clearly shows that we have to pay Rs 2 for parking but in reality we are charged more than double. We are given a coupon of Rs 5 for each parking over the past few months which is unjustified and illegal," said a toto driver, Ajay Mohanto who has in this business for more than five years.
It has been learnt that after facing resentment from the toto drivers, a few months ago, the parking authority was forced to take the actual fee from them.
Rubbishing the allegations, a parking employee, Ujwal Das said: "Recently, there was a meeting conducted between them and the toto drivers and we announced the new rate. Besides, we charge extra only when the drivers are seen bearing extra passengers."
Meanwhile, a local resident of Chalkvrigu, Parimal Sarkar has been given the responsibility of collecting fees from the vehicles parked at Balurghat station. Sarkar has recruited a few other employees to run the entire process smoothly.
The toto drivers said they have already lodged a written complaint and reported to the station manager on the issue and demanded a thorough investigation otherwise they would be forced to hit the streets shortly.
