Talks fail: Private bus operators to strike

Thiruvananthapuram, June 11 (UNI) Thr Kerala Bus Operators Federation today warned that they would go ahead with the proposed indefinite strike from June 24, if the Government did not consider their demands favourably.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas, Labour Minister P K Gurudasan and Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem, Federation Chairman A K Abdulla said the Ministers failed to give an assurance regarding their long-standing demands, including revision of students' concession.

''The meeting is not satisfactory as the Ministers failed to give an assurance to our genuine demands. We have no other option, but to remain off the roads from June 24, if the Government failed to give an assurance,'' he added.

On the Government move through a supplementary notifiction not to renew permits of private buses in 31 routes, enabling the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to operate in these routes, Mr Abdulla said such a move would crush the backbone of the industry.

Regarding concession to students, he said the present concession rate was fixed in 1964 when the diesel price was just 72 paise per litre. The concession could be provided only to eligible students and on the lines of their economy.

UNI CGV GD RL GC1458