Shillong, Oct 17: The state government will soon review its decision to allow Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses and maxicabs to continue using ‘ML-01’ the registration number meant only for government vehicles.
“We will review this matter very soon,” Urban Affairs Minister, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh told reporters here on Tuesday.
He said that the chief minister, Mukul Sangma had also asked the department to review this decision to allot government registration number to these buses being run commercially by private operators.
It may be mentioned that concerns have been raised over the issue since these buses sanctioned under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) are being operated commercially by private firms.
Many criticized the government for exempting the red buses and maxicabs, being operated by private firms, from paying taxes to the government. The government was accused of violating the Motor Vehicle Act.
Earlier, local taxis’ association has demanded that the MV Act should be applied equally to all commercial vehicles by changing the registration number of these SPTS buses and maxicabs.
On the complaint about the reckless driving by the drivers of these buses, the minister said that he has directed the MUDA to issue strict warning on the matter.
“If anyone found violating the order, operators of these buses will be punished accordingly,” he said.
The government had handed over to private operators to run these buses and maxicabs, and a number of these vehicles have been damaged.
