Tika R Pradhan

Kathmandu, July 28:

Sajha Yatayat has requested the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) to act against a clutch of eight buses plying on Ring Road for trying to confuse people by using a name and colour scheme similar to Sajha’s. The buses belong to former vice-president Ratna Kajee Maharjan and former secretary Uttam Bhatta of the Valley Swoyambhu Bus Service Committee (VSBSC) Ratna Kajee Maharjan, and are running with the logo of Sada Yatayat and a colour scheme similar to Sajha’s. Maharjan countered that the difference was evident in the fare rates, size and colour of tickets and the number of white stripes in the blue background. Technical director at the DoTM, Sharad Adhikary, said no such company had registered or demanded routes on Ring Road. “Action could be taken against the company if it is found to have created confusion and affected the Sajha’s brand name,” he said. According to VSBSC president, Bharat Khadgi, Maharjan and Bhatta have resigned from their respective positions after having differences with the committee over plying the old vehicles which they registered for Sajha’s logo without informing the committee. The committee is currently running 21 buses using Sajha’s logo and plans to increase the number to 44 soon.

Among these, eight buses under the Sajha’s umbrella have not provided the ‘levy’ to the committee and have started plying with the logo of Sada Yatayat since yesterday. Khadgi, who was at the central office of Sajha Yatayat to file a complaint against Sada Yatayat, alleged they have tried to cheat people. Traffic chief of the Sajha Yatayat said he had requested the DoTM to take necessary action against Sada Yatayat.