MP bus transport in pvt hands from June 1

Bhopal, Apr 21 (UNI) Under the Madhya Pradesh government's new passenger transit system, only private operators would run buses from June 1, state Transport Minister Himmat Kothari said today.

''The Cabinet ayed a three-tier taxation system. Private players operating over 171 highways will no longer have to pay lease rent of Rs 1.5 to 3 per km. It is hoped that more than 3,000 new buses will hit the roads. Fares will be fixed by the government,'' he said at a press conference here.

A committee had been formed for improving the State Road Transport Corporation's bus stands, related arrangements, the time-table and otehr things. Local bodies would be handed over the management of the MPSRTC bus stands and a partial amount would be given to them.

''An April 30 deadline was set for MPSRTC employees to apply for voluntary retirement. The Centre provided a grant of Rs 45 crore and a like amount as loan for MPSRTC's closure,'' the minister added.

UNI AG-AC JT RK1958