Ombudsman Punjab, Javed Mahmood, has taken notice of overloading and overcharging by bus and wagon owners from the passengers travelling to their home towns in different areas to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. In a letter to Secretary Local Government, Additional Inspector General Traffic Police, Co-ordination Officers of all districts and Regional Transport Authorities, Ombudsman Punjab has ordered to proceed as per law against all those involved in overcharging and overloading.
He said that the Adda owners of Government Bus Stands as well as private, illegal, unauthorised bus and wagon stands overload their vehicles in such a manner the passengers have to sit at the roof tops of such vehicles, which is illegal and also risky one.
He said District Administration, Traffic Police, Regional Transport Authority as well as Chairman Provincial Transport Authority, Administrator of concerned Adda and concerned TMAs have closed their eyes on this broad day violation of rules. Similarly, public has also to pay more for travelling back after Eid. Adda incharges of government and private Addas are also receiving "Jaggas" from passengers, bus & wagon owners, said Ombudsman Punjab.
Ombudsman has ordered all concerned to make such arrangements in which there should not be overloading as well as overcharging. He has directed to take steps to facilitate the public for travelling to their home towns and back to their destination without any inconvenience. Ombudsman has asked the people to write to him if they observe violation of rules, overcharging and overloading during travel before and after Eid days so that a comprehensive policy be made for redressal of complaints, received during such festive days.