AYO officials at the press conference in Kohima on July 19. (Morung Photo)
Urges govt to frame State Motor Transport Policy
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 19
The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) today reiterated that the taxis operating without official verification stickers issued by them will not be allowed to ply henceforth in Kohima.
AYO President, Kesosul Christopher Ltu said that sufficient time has given to the taxi owners and those who have not came for the recent verification drive will be assumed as operating with forged documents. Stating that AYO will take action against any taxi found plying without verified sticker, he said “Whatever action taken by AYO, they will be held solely responsible.”
Communicating this through a press conference here today, Ltu also requested the public to avail taxis service which has verified sticker.
Stating that the state does not have its own motor transport policy, he said “The Government should table a Bill in the assembly to have our own motor transport policy.”
It may be mentioned here that, AYO had recently undertaken taxi verification drive in collaboration with All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) with major concerns on traffic congestion and the unregulated issuance of local and regional taxi permits.
After carrying out a field inspection today, AYO stated that they have found some loopholes and discrepancies that need to be addressed and streamlined.
Presenting a report, AYO taxi verification drive committee member Megokolie Pier informed that a total of 2412 taxis have been verified during 12 days taxi verification drive. Out of 2412 verified taxis, 843 belonging to first owner and the rest 1569 falls under 2nd to 5th owners. AYO has indentified 544 non local taxi drivers and 415 non-indigenous owners.
Also sharing the findings of the verification drive,” committee member Vipu Zashiimo said that many taxis have not done renewal for 2/3 decades. Some taxis were found expiry permit, including absence of pollution and vehicle fitness certificates. Many taxi drivers were also found without ANTA identity card.
It has found that a single person acquiring multiple taxi permit, causing negative consequences to unemployed youth. There was an instance of a single person holding 8 taxi permits. It also found that taxi permits have been issued against 2 minors (below 10 years).
AYO maintained that though there is proper procedure for acquiring taxi permit at nominal amount, however, some were paying Rs 75,000 to Rs 95,000 for permit through broker.
Zashumo recalled that AYO filed RTI to RTO office Kohima in 2024 but the reply was not satisfactory.
He said that on July 6, 2022, the concerned department had issued an order not to issue more taxi permit. “However, we find that so many taxi permits are being issued against the standing order,” Zashiimo said.
