Bus owners call off indefinite strike
Assured Re 1 hike at every 9-km stage
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 8
The private bus operators today withdrew their indefinite strike called from Monday July 12 after the transport director assured a hike of Re one at every nine kilometres stage.
However, the department refused to hike bus fare even by 15 paisa, as demanded by the operators today.
The operators on Wednesday had said that they will continue to earn only Rs 8 at every nine kilometres stage even after hike by ten paisa. As per new hike, the department has unchanged Rs 5 for the first three kilometres.
“We have assured them a hike of Re one at every nine kilometres stage,” Transport Director Arun Dessai said.
Desai said that the decision was taken after discussing the issue with the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
As per new directives, the private buses will charge Rs 9 at every nine kilometres stage.
Meanwhile, he said that the department is firm in its decision to have a fare hike by ten paisa. “Today they asked us to increase it by at least 15 paisa, which is also not acceptable,” Desai said.
The All Goa Private Bus Owners Association, General Secretary Sudip Tamankar said that they have called off their indefinite strike scheduled from July 12.
“They have agreed to hike bus fare by Re one for every nine kilometres. Hence we will be able to fetch Rs 9 as against Rs 8,” he said.
Tamankar also informed that department has assured to provide full support in forming a society of owners, drivers and conductors.
“The director has assured to provide his officers to us from Monday, who will help in collecting the information required for forming the society,” he stated.
Transporters have been alleging that the government is not co-operating with them to form the society.
