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| Passenger fare to be increased by 13 pc, TC authorized to revise fare henceforth | | Transporters' strike called off | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, July 18 : Following an assurance from the two senior cabinet ministers that government will increase the passenger fare by 13 percent, the transporters have decided to withdraw their decision of remaining off the roads tomorrow.The strike, they said has been called off in the larger interests of the masses. Transporters Union leaders had been demanding hike in passenger fare in the wake of rise in fuel prices and had threatened to go on strike tomorrow.
During the meeting held with representatives of Transporters Union at Circuit House here this evening, the transporters were assured by the cabinet ministers- Minister of Medical and technical Education RS Chib and Industries Minister Surjeet Slathia that the Transport minister would issue a notification as desired by them on the similar lines as agreed between them and the state government during their previous round of meeting . The state government would soon issue a notification to hike 13 per passenger fare as per the demands put forward by the transporters, both the ministers said adding that Transport Commissioner (TC) has been authorized to revise the fare hence forth taking into consideration the rise in prices of diesel. The notification in this regard shall be issued within two days, they said.
The Ministers made the announcement during a meeting with the transporters of Jammu division, who had given a strike call to press their demand for increase in passenger fare. The transporters of the State had reportedly approached the Government through some Union leaders demanding hike in passenger fare in the wake of rise in fuel prices and had threatened to go on strike on July 19.
After the assurance by the Ministers, the transport Union headed by Anil Chopra and Secretary Vijay Sharma called off the proposed strike which was scheduled to begin from tomorrow.The transporters apparently convinced with government assurance, expressed gratitude for conceding their demands. However, they also demanded that 2% fare be further increased considering the recent hike of Rs. 2 in the diesel prices,. It was in response to this that the ministers said government has authorized Transport Commissioner to revise the fares who will conduct a comprehensive survey and accordingly hike in fare will be notified.
The Ministers appreciated the role of transporters in maintaining the supply of essential commodities in the State during the recent strike in Kashmir and also lauded their role in defying Jammu bandh recently.
It may be mentioned that in absence of much awaited response of the state government towards their single point issue of notifying the new hiked fares for all kinds of passenger vehicles, the dejected lot of J&K transport operators on Saturday decided to go ahead with their scheduled strike plan on July 19.The call for complete chaka jam was earlier given by the transporters at the end of their executive committee meeting on Saturday.
. "The government has assured us that by tomorrow evening they will issue a notification in this regard …..so we have decided to call off the strike on their assurance", Anil Chopra, president All J&K Passenger Welfare Association, said while speaking to media later.He said that government has also assured them that they will from now on regularly review the fare according to the changes in the old prices at the national level.
It is pertinent to mention here that nearly 70,000 commercial vehicles had decided to go on strike in the state demanding fare revision keeping in view the rise in the oil prices in the recent past.
However there is some worry among the common man. "The increase in the passenger fare means more burden on our pocket, there is already much increase in the prices of essential commodities" said Meenakshi Bakshi a private sector employee.
"The rising prices have already made our lives miserable and now if there is increase in the fare, it will put extra burden on us", said Mohammad Yaseen, a government employee.
It is pertinent to mention here that Transport Union representatives and Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon had met on May 26 during which the union members had sought 13 per cent increase in the passenger fare.
Sources said that the meeting had decided that representatives of the transporters will meet the Commissioner Secretary Finance, Sudanshu Pandey to discuss the issue to reach a common consensus so that people may not have to shell out more and demands of transporters are also met.
Last time the transport fares were increased in 2008 when the government has increased fares to 14 per cent while they were demanding 20 per cent increase.
Sources said that there is huge pressure from the transporters on the government keeping in view the upcoming tourist and pilgrim season in the state. The transporters, they said were adopting pressure tactics and making every effort to make government accept their demands.The representatives convinced the government contending that hike had become imperative as the transporters were suffering huge losses and corrective measures needed to be taken immediately to avoid further losses.
Among others, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Ashok Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu M. K. Dwivedi, Deputy Transport Commissioner J&K Bhumesh Sharma, Deputy Director Information Suram Chand Sharma and SP Traffic Jammu were also present in the meeting
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