TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The All Goa Private Bus Owners Association has asked the state government to abolish Value Added Tax on diesel to prevent further bus fares hike, ahead of the State Transport Authority meeting scheduled on March 15 to decide on bus fares.
AGPBOA General Secretary Sudip Tamhankar told a press conference that daily expenses have shot up, with almost monthly diesel prices hike.
“Like petrol, government should also abolish VAT on diesel, which is currently 12.5 per cent. If government does so, then we are ready to operate buses at current fares,” Tamhankar said adding ‘on an average a bus runs almost 150 kms a day, consumes 40 litres of diesel with expense of Rs 1500-Rs 2000.’
Tamhankar said that the demand was placed before STA in the recently held meeting.
BJP-led government, last year, soon after assuming power had abolished VAT on petrol and slashed prices by Rs 11.
With rise in diesel prices, private bus owners have demanded hike in bus fares by almost 100 per cent. Currently, the charges are Rs 5 for the first three kms and 75 paise for subsequent kms.
The bus owners have welcomed government decision of doubling seats reserved for women in buses. Tamhankar said, “Within the next two days, the guidelines would be implemented”, adding ‘we stand by government’s decision on ID cards for bus drivers and conductors and display of helpline and bus owner’s phone number in buses’.
Meanwhile, the association has accused government of being behind the formation of a new association of bus owners ~Goa State Private Bus Owners Association. “The association is backed by Chief Minister and Transport Minister. Their policy is clear ‘divide and rule,” Tamhankar observed. The new association was formed on March 1, with Purshottam Halarnkar as president.
