(Update:) The new rates for the truck parking in Phuentsholing were implemented since Wednesday. However, truckers, saying the rates are unreasonable have appealed to the Phuentsholing Thromde again.
According to the contractor, who was awarded the fee collection contract, they introduced the new rates since Wednesday because they had already been issued a notification on June 11 to implement the new rates with immediate effect.
However, since the problem between the truckers and Thromde was yet to resolve, he charged the previous rate of Nu. 50 for 24 hours until Tuesday.
“Two days ago when we had a meeting with the Thromde officials, they said we have to immediately start with the revised rates as all announcements have already been done,” said Sangay Dorji, the Managing Director of Syeldron Park Pool. He said they when they calculate the contract amount to be deposited; it will be calculated based on the date of issue of notification. “So we had to start with the revised rates because except verbally they didn’t give us in writing to continue with the previous rates for some time more.”
After truckers had repeatedly appealed the Thromde office, the rates were brought down to Nu.150 from 265 for 24 hours. But truck drivers and owners said the rate is still expensive for them to bear.
In an incident on Wednesday, where one of the drivers refused to pay the revised parking fee, the case was forwarded to the police.
At the police station, truckers requested the Thromde to consider the old rates until the Parliamentary election is over. The letter was put up to the Thromde office yesterday.
However, Thromde officials said instead of July 13 when the elections will be over, the letter stated that the previous rates be followed until the new government is in place. This, they said is not as per what the truckers and Thromde verbally agreed on Wednesday. Due to this, Thromde could not respond immediately. They said they will discuss the issue during the Thromde Committee meeting
