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Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008
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Minister’s brother creates ruckus

Special Correspondent

J.C. Prabhakara Reddy enraged over seizure of buses by transport officials

–Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

Venting ire: J.C. Prabhakara Reddy (right), brother of J.C. Diwakar Reddy, Minister for Panchayat Raj, protesting at the Transport Commissioner’s office in Hyderabad on Monday.

HYDERABAD: J.C. Prabhakara Reddy, brother of Panchayati Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy, on Monday created a ruckus at the office of the Transport Commissioner here, disrupting work for several hours.

Apparently enraged over special teams of the Transport Commissioner seizing his buses for violating the provisions of Motor Vehicles Rules, Mr. Reddy landed up at the office here around noon and staged a dharna. Thrice over a period of five hours, he was called for discussions with Commissioner Raymond Peter, but each time he walked out in a huff.

Targets officials

The Minister’s brother was protesting against the seizure of his bus at Anantapur on July 23 and expressed his protest before the Road Transport Officer there. Following talks, officials sent him a telegram, released the vehicle but he did not receive the telegraphic order and threatened to take up the issue in the State capital.

He said officials were targeting Diwakar Travels, the name under which Mr. Reddy runs buses. He alleged that buses belonging to Kesineni Travels were being let off scot-free. But Mr. Peter pointed out that no one was being spared and the violations included carrying commercial luggage, altering seats to accommodate more passengers and misuse of permits issued or operating without permits at all.

Mr. Peter kept repeating that no favouritism was being shown and said it was important for every operator to abide by the law. The present rate of taxation is Rs. 893 for operating in one district, Rs. 1,200 for two districts, Rs. 2,650 per seat per quarter (3 months) and Rs. 3,650 for inter-State trips. However, operators were found either misusing the permits issued or not taking permits at all, he said.

Violation of rules

Mr. Peter said over 100 buses were seized in the past month for violations and added that the department was determined to ensure operators’ compliance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the AP Motor Vehicles Rules.

Later in the afternoon, Mr. Diwakara Reddy denied all the charges levelled against Diwakar Travels. Stating that he never faced such a situation even during the Telugu Desam regime, he regretted that Mr. Prabhakara Reddy had to go through such a situation, despite being the brother of a Minister.

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