Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa State Private Bus Owners Association has demanded hike in bus fares and to release fuel subsidy and insurance scheme due to them failing which they will resort to protests in front of the residences of the Chief Minister and Transport Minister.
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The Goa State Private Bus Owners Association President Sudesh Kalangutkar demanded fare revision in the backdrop of rising fuel prices.
He said that the diesel price had increased from Rs 60 to Rs 100 per litre while the cost of tyres and other accessories had also shot up during the last few years.
“The tyre of a minibus had increased from Rs 8,500 to Rs 10,500,” he said adding that it was imperative to revise the bus fares.
Kalangutkar complained that the government had not released fuel subsidies and the insurance scheme making it difficult for the bus operators while the subsidy for the replacement of buses older than 15 years is also pending.
There are 900-odd private buses and nearly 15,000 families are depending on this business, he said adding that the private operators were in financial distress.
Kalangutkar said that the private operators are ready to give their buses to the State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) to run, provided they are duly compensated.
He said that the executive committee has now decided to hold a chain strike along with their families in front of the residences of the Chief Minister and Transport Minister if the government turns a blind eye to their demands.
“If the Chief Minister is at home or out of the station we will continue with our strike,” he said.
