SARGODHA, Nov 12: Contractors are allegedly overcharging the users of wagon-stand and General Bus Stand in full knowledge of the municipal administration.

The vice-president of local transporters’ union, Alhaj Hasnain Raza, alleged that Mohammad Afzal had been awarded the contract for collection of vehicle tax at the city wagon stand for Rs3.96 million. He was allowed to collect the tax at the rate of Rs15 per vehicle. However, he had allegedly charged Rs18 per vehicle from July 1 to Aug 31 and had since been collecting the tax at the rate of Rs20 per vehicle. Mr Hasnain further alleged that another contractor, Iftikhar Ahmed, was similarly overcharging the users of General Bus-Stand.

Mr Hasnain also showed a receipt for extra charges, which had allegedly been issued by the contractors. The receipt had been printed privately and bore no stamp or seal of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA).

The Tehsil municipal administration has served notices on the contractors asking them to remit the extra amount, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the vehicle owners also have to contribute Rs20 to the union welfare fund besides the parking fees that ranges from Rs40 to 60 per vehicle per trip. According to the schedule, the parking fee is not more than Rs10 per vehicle.

The transporters’ representative urged the government to get this malpractice stopped and have the transporters deposit the extra collection in the welfare fund for transporters.