JD(S) MLA stages overnight dharna against toll collection

In response to toll collection, Janata Dal(S) MLA representing Deodurg Karemma G. Nayak continued her overnight (Friday) dharna at the toll gate near Kakargal village in Deodurg taluk of Raichur district on Saturday.

Ms. Nayak is opposing toll collection in two places near Kakargal and Jalahalli villages on the Kalmala-Tinthani State Highway citing it as “illegal” and “anti-people.”

She raised the issue before Minister for Medical Education and district in-charge Sharan Prakash Patil during the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting at Raichur on Friday strongly urging the latter to stop collection of toll from vehicles at the two toll gates immediately. She staged a dharna there also for a while.

Responding to her, Dr. Patil verbally instructed the officers concerned to stop toll collection until the outcome from a meeting of officials for the purpose. However, toll collection was not stopped triggering an overnight dharna by Ms. Nayak at Kakargal toll gate. She then continued it on Saturday.

When contacted, Ms. Nayak told The Hindu over phone from the dharna venue that despite instructions being given by the Minister, the toll gate staff didn’t stop collecting toll. Surprisingly, the entire administration and the police are supporting toll collection, she added.

The MLA maintained that she as a representative of the people of the constituency has the right to question such an anti-people act, i.e., establishing two toll gates within one taluk limits and collecting toll.

“I will continue my protest until toll collection is stopped,” Ms. Nayak said.

In April, Ms. Nayak’s son Santosh Nayak and several others were booked on the charge of vandalising electronic equipment during a protest against toll collection at the toll gate.