A passenger touring from Gadag to Hubballi Monday was in for a shock after the driver-cum-conductor of a North Western Karnataka Highway Transport Company (NWKRTC) bus requested him to pay a further Rs 10 for carrying a laptop computer together with him.
Talking to indianexpress.com, the passenger, a working skilled, who didn’t want to be named, defined that he had turned on his laptop computer to work throughout his journey in the direction of Hubballi. When the motive force seen the machine, he walked as much as him and requested him to pay Rs 10 additional for carrying the laptop computer however the passenger refused to pay.
He added, “The driving force-cum-conductor got here as much as me and cited an order issued by the Karnataka State Highway Transport Company (KSRTC) and mentioned it applies for NWKRTC too. The order doesn’t point out laptops within the listing of bags that may be carried freed from value until they cross the 30 kg threshold.”
The passenger additional mentioned, “Upon contacting some conductor buddies of mine, I learnt that some conductors and transport officers have been requested by greater authorities to cost additional from passengers who use their laptops whereas travelling. I used to be additionally advised that if the conductors and officers fail to levy the extra quantity, then they run the chance of being fined.”
The round in query is dated October 29 the place the KSRTC launched some adjustments within the present baggage guidelines. The order states {that a} passenger is allowed to hold issues like rice, ragi, greens, fan, mixer grinder containers, coconuts, backpacks free of charge. However additional prices will apply if the aforementioned gadgets weigh greater than 30 kg. The order nowhere mentions laptops within the listing of things that may be carried free of charge. The passenger claimed that this loophole is getting used as an excuse by some transport officers to cost passengers additional.
The passenger additionally claimed that the cost varies on the gap of the journey and the variety of models of extra baggage.
A spokesperson of the NWKRTC, nevertheless, mentioned there isn’t any such rule to cost additional for laptops. “Since a laptop computer is a tool identical to a cell phone which is part of the passenger’s baggage, there shall be no additional prices levied.”
G Seenaiah, division controller of Gadag depot, mentioned, “As per the round, additional prices shall be levied on digital gadgets equivalent to TVs, fridges, desktops, ranging from Rs 5 onwards primarily based on the variety of models and the gap. Nevertheless, there shall be no cost for laptops. Motion shall be taken towards transport officers if they’re discovered charging additional for laptops.”