Parking contractors resort to blatant overcharging

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 14

Even though the private parking contractors outside district courts here, engaged by the local Municipal Corporation charge Rs 50 for four wheelers and Rs 20 for two-wheelers, they do not guarantee the safety of the vehicle as well as the valuables, the visitors rued.

They have been charging exorbitantly for parking vehicles on the sides of road. The visitors rue that no display of charges has been made near the parking place and parking attendants charge per as their wish.

“Even the parking slip has no printed mention of the fee to be charged and the parking attendants scribble it with pen on the spot,” said a resident, Joginder Singh, demanding that the authorities concerned should look into the matter so that people do not feel cheated.

The residents stated that the attendants write fee with pen and do not issue a printed slip. Moreover, no display board has been installed which compels one to suspect that something is fishy. “The agreed rates for parking by the MC are Rs 20 for four wheelers and Rs 10 for two wheelers. However, all the parking places given on contract to private firms are charging more than double,” said Kuljit Singh, an advocate at district courts.

The district courts complex is visited by thousands of litigants apart from advocates, court staff and other employees. Though the complex has parking areas for staff and advocates, the litigants and other visitors have to park their vehicles outside the gates.

“Considering the need for parking, a multi-storeyed parking complex should be constructed inside the court premises which should be regulated. If they can dare to overcharge and fleece people just outside the courts, what can be expected at other places,” said another visitor Sanjeev Kumar.

The MC officials stated that the re-auctioning of the parking lots is due. “It was postponed till the polls due to administrative issues. “Some new places for parking have also been identified and once the process is completed, the contractors would be made to adhere to all norms related to parking,” said the official.