Karnal, March 22
Though residents here pay toll for travelling on four-wheelers even within the limits of the district, those connected to politicians enjoy undue favour by getting letters issued in this regard.
The Tribune has managed to obtain a photostat copy of such a letter issued by Mr Umesh Kumar, personal assistant to the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, to Kashmir Singh of Nirmal Vihar, Karnal, so that the bearer did not have to pay the toll.
Duly signed by Mr Umesh Kumar on his letterhead sans a date it reads, “The bearer of this letter Sh Kashmir Singh s/o Hardyal Singh r/o Nirmal Vihar, Karnal district, is known to us. He has to visit Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, HP, Delhi, Rajasthan and UP. I have been desired by the Hon’ble Minister to request you to please extend all possible help to him to avoid undue harassment and do the needful regarding tool tax toll misspelt as tool). The vehicle No. is HR26-32.”
The local Congress has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through the local district magistrate, demanding legal action against Mr I.D. Swami for misuse of his official post.
The toll barrier has been troubling Mr Swami as he faced stiff opposition on two occasions from the local people when he went to villages for his poll campaign. People have reportedly indulged in heated exchange of words with Mr Swami and his associates at Bhaini Khurd village near Indri in this regard.
However, Mr Swami and his son, Rajinder Swami, have denied their involvement.
The Tribune tried to contact both Mr Swami and his personal assistant Umesh Kumar over telephone but they were not available for comments. Both were reported to have gone out for poll campaign.
