Busmen go to courts over Colombo-Jaffna route permits
August 8, 2010 04:46 pm
The Lanka Private Bus Operators’ Association (LPBOA) is to go to courts against what it claims the loss incurred by the government from private buses operating between Colombo and Jaffna.
Government, Opposition politicians, their henchmen and large scale bus mudalalis (merchants) too are involved in this transport fraud, claims LPBOA president Gemunu Wijeratne.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) had chosen 16 private operators through a tender procedure (Tender 09) to ply super luxury and luxury bus services between Colombo and Jaffna. However, of the 16 only two operators have paid the stipulated amounts to the NTC for the route permits. The other operators who had obtained their permit tenders are operating their buses though they have not paid a single cent to the government, claims the LPBOA.
There are some 68 private buses plying the Colombo-Jaffna route in this manner, depriving the State of an estimated Rs. 10 billion annually, states Gemunu Wijeratne.
The LPBOA had made a complaint to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) a week ago regarding this matter, said Mr. Wijeratne.
Further, the busmen’s association has decided to initiate legal action against the NTC and the Transport Minister against these high handed acts by the political henchmen and bus operators which deprives the government of millions of rupees as revenue, the LPBOA president said.
Accordingly, under legal advice, a notice has been sent on August 6 to the Transport Ministry Secretary with copies to the President’s secretary, Cabinet secretary, Finance Ministry secretary, the Attorney General and the NTC.
On June 15 this year, the NTC had notified the Supreme Court that it was following the due tender procedures. A transparent tender procedure will help choose bus operators who could provide a better service to the commuters, said Gemunu Wijeratne.
Certain politicians were attempting to reverse the triumphs of war and cause injustice to the people of the North. The LPBOA has understood this and is resorting to legal action as it believes that the judiciary is the last refuge, states the bus owners’ association.
