Private bus strike in Kerala called off

Kottayam, Nov 8 (UNI) The indefinite strike, called by private bus operators in Kerala from November 11, was withdrawn here today.

A decision in this regard was taken after State Transport Minister Mathew T Thomas had talks with the All-Kerala Private Bus Operators' Coordination Committee at the Collectorate.

Talking to mediapersons, he said the government had no intention to eliminate the private buses from the nationalised routes.

The operators called for the strike to protest the government's notification against the renewal of permits in 31 notified routes.

It was a temporary notification and the concern of the operators would be considered favourably at the time of the final notification, Mr Thomas said.

Coordination Committee leaders said the Minister had agreed to give permanent permits at the time of renewal of the existing ones in the nationalised routes.

Mr V N Vasavan, MLA, also took part in the talks.

UNI VST PMM SW RAI1615