Drive against buses with extra sleepers

panaji, dec 7: the transport department has suspended the fitness of 8 buses which were fitted with 17 to 18 extra sleepers than prescribed, thus preventing them from plying unless the defects were corrected. the director of transport, mr d a havaldar informed the navhind times that these buses would be allowed to continue their operations if they got rid of the extra sleepers. these extra sleepers which are fitted on the top are very unsafe and the owners of the buses are also evading the motor vehicle tax as well the passenger tax due on these extra seats, he said. in all 8 buses were issued notices that they were to report to their respective police stations when they were entering the state border early this morning. the department plans to continue this drive tomorrow, but mr havaldar clarified that the intention was not to create any inconvenience to the passengers at all and that they would be allowed to alight at their decided destinations. mr havaldar also revealed that these were not inter state buses like the panaji-mumbai buses, rather they were buses which were hired on contract to transport groups of people like marriage parties etc. these buses also do not have a state carriage permit which again is illegal, he stated. the seats in a bus and their number and position are very vital to the safety of the bus and carrying almost 17 passengers more than the prescribed number was very dangerous, he said, adding that the different clientele were brought in for such sleepers as they were situated at the top and could be closed shut. the buses were currently kept at different police stations according to the jurisdiction.