Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation was battling with sudden decline of collection as fleet of around 2300 buses recorded shortfall of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh every day, HRTC official told. Demonetisation has forced HRTC to heavy reduction in its daily turn over as most of interstate buses remained unoccupied to its strength. Local routes are also partially affected.
Transport spokesman said that HRTC was accepting all forms of taxes and other assets, residence and shop fare in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency note though it was demonetised by the Central Government and RBI recently. He said that old currency notes would be accepted till December 24, 2016. He said that any form of payment to be made to transport department or HRTC to be accepted in old currency which principally include the registration fee, all forms of fee, Token Tax, special road taxes and penalties. Directions have been issued by the government to all concerned head of department to follow this decision.
The Government move has been reportedly taken in wake of failure of RBI and center swaps old currency notes to the people in the State and declining of state recovery in various forms after demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. HRTC registered daily collection of about Rs 2 Crore declined nearly 12 to 15 percent. It have book value loss of Rs 45 Cr. however entity was judged among best State transport in the Country.
