GMC Files Police Plaint Over Charging Of Arbitrary RatesGuwahati: Alleged overcharging by unauthorised parking collectors near Panbazar Police Station has added to the inconvenience faced by city residents.The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has lodged a complaint at Panbazar Police Station after some people were allegedly caught posing as authorised parking personnel and charging motorists Rs 300-400 an hour.According to a video circulated on social media on Friday, vehicle owners confronted the people collecting the fees. One of them allegedly claimed that the rates were charged daily and that the parking facility’s owner would hold him accountable if the money was not collected.“We have filed a complaint at Panbazar Police Station, and a case has been registered. The matter is currently under investigation, as prescribed rates are displayed at the parking spaces and the lessees have been instructed to charge strictly according to the prescribed rates. We have identified the persons involved. However, none of the civic body employees or other lessees has been able to recognise them,” said Ratul Roy, GMC collector.The video also showed that the alleged collectors were not wearing uniforms or carrying identification cards. The GMC had earlier said parking attendants would be required to wear uniforms and carry ID cards following complaints of illegal fee collection.Under the rates notified by the civic body for 54 parking zones, charges are Rs 5 for two-wheelers and Rs 10 for cars and vans for the first two hours. The same rates apply for each subsequent hour. Lessees are required to collect fees strictly according to the notified rates.With the city facing a shortage of parking spaces, such alleged unauthorised collections have further inconvenienced motorists and raised concerns over the regulation of designated parking areas.
