J&K Oil Tankers Union demands package, seeks tax rebate for transport sector in Budget 2024

BK News

Jammu, 29: Ahead of Union Budget 2024, the J&K Oil Tankers Union has urged the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to look into the problems faced by transporters across India, especially that belonging to the border and hilly state of Jammu and Kashmir and announce a special package for the transport sector.

 According to a statement issued to Business Kashmir, All Jammu And Kashmir Oil & LPG Tank,  Truck  Drivers & Cleaners Union, one of the focal and prominent elected bodies of transporters in Jammu and Kashmir in its appeal requested the finance minister to address the basic issues of the transporters including reducing road taxes, toll taxes, Penalties, fines, late fees charges, tax on vehicle insurance and also reduce GST on purchase of new transport vehicles.

Laying the importance of the contribution of the transporter sector in the nation’s economy, Ranjit Singh Raina, the president of the drivers Union said that the Transport sector is one of the most important sectors of the Indian economy yet it is the most ignored one.

Presenting the demand of the transporter, he called for strict compliance with minimum wage law for drivers, cleaners and transport labourers. In his appeal, he also requested the union government to launch special schemes for the welfare of drivers and cleaners who become permanently disabled in road accidents while performing their duties.

Sardar Harasis Singh, the spokesperson of the union informed that All Jammu and  Kashmir Oil &   LPG Tank, Truck  Drivers & Cleaners Union would submit a detailed memorandum to the Chief Secretary,  J&K  highlighting the sufferings of the drivers and cleaners on the road, especially between Jammu- Srinagar Highway. Pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister  Nirmala Sitharamn will present the Union interim budget on Thursday, Feb 1, 2024.