Jammu (NVI): Taking a leaf out of good governance best practices, the newly created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir today moved to introduce eco-friendly fuel-efficient buses and announced a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh to each transporter joining the scheme.
The J&K Government today formally accorded sanction to Jammu and Kashmir Transport Subsidy Scheme for replacement of buses which are more than 15-years old with new buses compliant to BS-IV and above norms.
The order issued by the Principal Secretary Transport Department Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon said it will ensure optimum usage of available road space by transporting maximum number of people per unit of road space which would obviate the problem of congestion, traffic jams and pollution.
The scheme is also intended to help in curtailing rising car ownership, problem of vehicle parking and reduced road space, the order said.
“Rs 25 crore have already been earmarked for the purchase of old buses by private players in 2019-20 Budget. The amount of subsidy would be Rs 5 Lakh per Bus,” reads the order adding that the scheme may be extended to mini buses and matadors too in near future.
“The subsidy needs to be provided to only those who are in need of loan to raise capital, state pollution board will certify age of the vehicle. J&K Bank will be one of the banks that may provide loan to the operators besides banks shall make the payment to OEM along with subsidy,” the scheme reads.
The scheme also comes with a rider for the beneficiary operators that they must ply these vehicles on identified routes for 5 years for which concerned RTOs shall file compliance report after every six months.
“The beneficiary operators have to ensure that vehicles clear Government fees, including Token tax, Passenger tax, Fitness Fees, Permit Fee, bank liability etc besides the vehicles should have a valid permit renewed up-to-date along with insurance certificate,” the scheme reads.
According to the scheme, for availing the subsidy, the concerned officers would be required to condemn the vehicle/s and get it scrapped and only after deregistration of vehicle/s they shall be allowed to avail the subsidy.
The scheme also says that applicants shall be given three months to purchase the vehicles after entering into loan agreement with the concerned bank and subsidy component shall be transferred to the bank on capital investment for subsequent payment to O.E.M.
For periodically reviewing the working of the scheme a Committee will be formed with Principal Secretary Transport as Chairman, Transport Commissioner J&K as member, RTO Jammu and RTO Kashmir as Member Secretaries for Jammu and Kashmir division respectively.
The mandate of the Committee would be to identify and finalize the list of beneficiaries besides deciding under the scheme any class of public service vehicle like diesel driven Matadors/Mini buses plying in the twin-capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
