No proposal to hike bus fares: Ashok

Bangalore, Jul 1 (UNI) Despite suffering a loss of over Rs 120 crore per annum due to sharp increase in the prices of diesel by the State road transport corporation, there was no any proposal before the state government to go for hike in the passenger bus fares, transport minister R Ashok said today.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the 'Media Day' celebrated jointly by State Information Department and Media Academy on the occasion of the 165th anniversary of Kannada Vernacular 'Mangalore Samachar', the minister said the state government had not considered the four state-run transport corporations plea to raise the fares by about 18 per cent.

The minister said that due to recent sharp increase the four state-run transport corporations put together would have an additional burden of Rs 120 crore per annum. However taking into consideration of commuters interests the state government has not taken any decision to hike passenger fare.

The minister also announced the quantum of Accident Insurance relief from the present Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per passenger in case of death in road mishaps involving state-run buses.

Referring to All India Transport Operators indefinite strike from midnight today, the minister appealed the Lorry owners to withdraw their stir as it would harm the general public.

"Most of the demands raised by transport operators are to be addressed by the Union government" the minister said.

On the implementation of mandatory fixing of speed governors on commercial vehicles, the minister opined that Union Government should bring amendment to the Central Motor Vehicle Act with regard to fixing of speed limit.

Replying to questions the minister said that the state government would take adequate measures to smooth movement of essential commodities in the wake of the impending Transport Operators strike.

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