SABROOM: A section of drivers and bus owners at the Sabroom bus stand are reportedly seething over alleged irregularities in the collection of vehicle permit fees, allegedly linked to a leader identifying himself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), even as Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has publicly maintained that no form of extortion will be tolerated in the state.
According to sources, the Sabroom bus stand — used daily by buses and smaller vehicles plying between Agartala and Sabroom — has for years been managed by the South Tripura Bus and Jeep Drivers’ Association, which took charge of bus stand operations across Tripura following the change of government in 2018.
Sources allege that a leader associated with the BJP took control of the local unit and, around two months ago, reduced the permit fee at Sabroom from ₹30 to ₹10, while separately setting up a new collection point at Manu Bazar charging ₹30 — without informing other office-bearers of the association. Vehicles are now allegedly required to pay at both points, effectively increasing the total cost for drivers.
The move has reportedly left three clerks employed at the Sabroom stand without proper wages, as their salaries were paid from permit collections. A section of owners who objected were allegedly threatened into compliance.
The state committee of the South Tripura Bus and Jeep Drivers’ Association has not issued any official statement on the matter so far.