Private bus operators announce indefinite stir

Kozhikode, Jul 10 (UNI) Private bus operators in Kerala today threatened to go on indefinite stir in protest against the ''pro-longed delay'' by the government to revise the concessional fare allowed to students in the state.

''We have no other option, but to go on agitation, including indefinite, as the the government had totally ignored its written assurance on the revision given on July 10, 2007,'' All Kerala Bus Operators Coordination Committee (AKBOCC) Chairman A K Abdulla told UNI here.

He said the concessional fare, about 50 per cent less of the passenger fare, was not revised for several decades causing huge loss to the industry due to hike of fuel price.

Mr Abdulla, who is also President of the Kerala Private Bus Operators Federation, said detailed agitational programme would be chalked out at a meeting of the AKBOCC to be held at Thrissur on July 12.

Earlier, the government had decided to increase the minimum charge of ordinary services from Rs three to Rs four, fast passenger services from Rs four to five, super fast services from Rs six to Rs ten and Super Express services from Rs ten to Rs 15 to cushion the impact of the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products.

Announcing the decision in the state Assembly, Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas said the government would take a decision on the issue after consultation with union leaders.

UNI PCH RL HT1820