The Hindu : Kerala News : `Bus operators were forced to go on stir'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`Bus operators were forced to go on stir'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, NOV. 23. Operators of around 30,000 private buses in the State were forced to go on an indefinite strike from Wednesday due to the State Government's delay in taking a final decision on several issues, said Khalid Mundapilly, president of the Kerala State Private Bus Operators' Federation.

Talking to presspersons here today, he said the Government has convened a meeting on Wednesday despite giving the strike notice a fortnight back.

The recent hike in diesel price had covered up the income generated through the recent hike in bus fare.

The owner of a city bus ended up paying Rs. 200 extra every day due to the diesel price hike, he said.

Demands

The demands of the operators included reduction in sales tax on diesel from 24 per cent to four per cent, imposing restrictions on permits, reduction of vehicle tax and insurance premium, hike in the percentage of students concession to 50 per cent, constitution of a regulatory committee to discuss the bus fare issue, checking parallel services and declaration of private buses as an industry.

Denies split

Mr. Mundapilly said that the reports of a split in the Ernakulam District Private Bus Operators' Association were not true.

Some rebels in the organisation formed the Thripunithura Bus Owners' Association.

It has only 34 members, he said.

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