Sangrur, March 30: The Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) during a video conference on Thursday directed Sangrur and all district authorities to lodge FIRs against all those who try to create problems in wheat lifting across the state in the forthcoming wheat procurement season.
Truckers have refused to budge and said the government could not pressurise them to work under the new transportation policy.
“We will not create any problem, but we have decided not to work under the new transport policy, which will cause further losses to all transporters. Our core committee will meet in a day or two and take the final decision,” said Rampal Singh Behniwal from Sangrur, who is state senior vice-president of the All Punjab Truck Operators Union.
Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh and DGP Suresh Arora during the conference directed all the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs to ensure that the process of procurement of wheat, including the tendering process for transport, cartage and labour, must be completed smoothly and uninterruptedly.
“No interference will be tolerated by any person in any aspect relating to procurement of wheat. If any person stops others from participating in the bidding process, he will be dealt sternly and FIRs will be lodged against all such persons. Ban on cartelisation of transport will be strictly enforced,” said the officers.
Sangrur SSP Mandeep Sidhu after the conference said all those trying to create problems in lifting or movement of vehicles would be booked. He stated that required police protection would be provided to those willing to participate in the tendering process.
“A maximum of 120 per cent increase over the basic rates can be allowed for the transport bids,” said Deputy Commissioner Ghanshayam Thori after the conference.
Source Tribune India
