By Jasleen Kour
In a distressing turn of events, Sahil, a struggling taxi driver, has been seeking payment for his services for the past 19 months, only to be met with continued disappointment.
Sahil’s vehicle, an Innova, was hired by the Congress party on January 23, 2023, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a significant political rally aimed at uniting India.
The car was utilized by Congress leaders and their guests from January 23 to January 30, 2023. However, despite completing the agreed-upon service, Sahil has yet to receive any compensation.
Narrating his tale of woe Sahil told The News Point he was asked to pick two guests namely Naveen Sharma and Sibtain from Srinagar airport and drop them at a hotel.
“From January 23 to January 30, 2023, I remained associated with both the guests and took them to different places for meetings and managing variousevents during the Yatra”, Sahil said.
Sahil’s vehicle was rented at a rate of Rs 3000 per day. For the eight days of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leaders used his Innova, accumulating a total charge of Rs 24,000. Unfortunately, Sahil has not received any payment, leaving him in a state of financial distress.
“Since January 30 till date, I have been approaching one Congress leader after another, but they are just dodging me despite the fact that my vehicle was hired by the party during the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” Sahil told The News Point, expressing his frustration and hardship caused by the unresolved issue.
Arshad Tantray, a Congress leader involved in hiring the vehicle, stated that the taxis were rented through a transport company and the payment was made to the company. He admitted that there was a dispute which led to Sahil not receiving his due payment. However, he did not provide specific details about the nature of the dispute.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by everyday workers like Sahil, who rely on timely payments to sustain their livelihoods. Sahil’s story highlights how Congress leaders treated locals who rendered services during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Sahil’s predicament remains unresolved, and he hopes that by bringing his story to light, he might finally receive the payment he is owed and alleviate his financial burdens.
For now, Sahil’s struggle continues, a poignant reminder of the often unseen hardships faced by those serving behind the scenes in major political events.
EOM
