The government today notified the 'Punjab Goods Carriages (Regulation and Prevention of Cartelization Rules), 2017', barring goods carriage operators from forming cartels in the state.
The move will help propel industrial and infrastructural investment by facilitating a favourable environment for industries and business houses to invest in the state, according to an official spokesperson.
The notification bars operators and permit holders of goods carriages, or any organisation/body of such individuals in any form, from forming a cartel denying freedom of choice to the consignors and consignees to engage the services of such operators or permit holders, he said.
It further provides that no operator or permit holder of Goods Carriages would compel or coerce any other operator or a permit holder of goods carriage to become a member or partner with him, or cause hindrance in the conduct of business by another operator or permit holder of goods carriage, he said.
It further lays down that no operator or permit holder would stop any other operator or a permit holder of goods carriage/consignor/consignee who wishes to pick up goods from any local areas, towns or cities within the State in the normal course of their business, as permissible under the terms and conditions of permit granted to them by the competent authority.
The notification also provides for police recourse and penalty in the form of suspension or cancellation of the permit in case of violation.
In case an operator or permit holder is hindered by another operator or permit holder in the conduct of business, he may make a complaint in writing to the Officer In-charge of the local Police Station, who shall ensure its safe passage.
Such an affected operator or permit holder of goods carriage/ consignor/ consignee may also make a written complaint to the designated authority who, after holding a preliminary enquiry, shall forward the complaint with the recommendation to the authority competent to issue permits to take action under section 86 of the Act for suspension or cancellation of the permit, as the case may be, he said.
In order to streamline the goods transport system, the notification provides for fixing of minimum and maximum fares and freights, from time to time, in respect of different kinds of goods carriers on a per kilometre.
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