Expressing solidarity with the protesting traders who have launched an agitation against the arbitrary second hike in parking charges in the last six months in the city, former Union Minister and ex-Chandigarh MP, Pawan Kumar Bansal has come out strongly in the support of the traders.
Justifying the stance of the common man, business segment, traders and other sections of society who are reeling under daily assaults by the Government in social, cultural, economic and business matters, Bansal demanded a rollback of the unjustified and arbitrary hike in parking charges.“This is the second time that such a hike has been made in the parking charges. The smart parking systems are not yet in place and there is absolutely no justification or need for this extra burden on the people who are already facing extreme economic crunch and mental stress due to the policies of the Government including the hike in fuel prices and electricity tariffs,” Bansal said. According to the new rates, a car owner has to pay Rs 20 for the first four hours. The rates are doubled every two hours. A two-wheeler owner has to pay Rs 10 for the first four hours and double after every two hours.
Bansal also scoffed at the irony of the helplessness expressed by the city Mayor in the matter of usurpation of the MC’s functions by the BJP run officialdom and the local Member of Parliament maintaining total silence on the issue.