PANAJI: The Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association has threatened to go on a day’s strike and keep the buses off the road on July 5 if their demand to revise bus fare is not met. This was stated on Sunday by the Association’s secretary, Mr Sudip Tamankar.
Mr Tamankar said that at present the passengers are being charged Rs 5 for the first three kilometers and Rs 0.45 for every additional kilometre. The Association’s demand is to hike the bus fare by Rs 0.20.
The decision of the bus owners association to serve the government an ultimatum came a day after the Transport Minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar softened his stand on the price hike issue and said that he was willing to consider their demand. He had also asked the bus owners association not to hold the people to ransom by frequently threatening to go on strike.
Mr Tamankar said the former director of Transport Mr Swapnil Naik had assured them to solve their grievances and take a firm decision on the bus fare. Earlier on Sunday, the bus owners association held a meeting to discuss the latest development following the report submitted by Mr Naik to the government. The members then took an unanimous decision to go on strike on July 5 if their demands are not met.
Justifying the Association’s demand, Mr Tamankar said that on December 26 the bus fare was revised when diesel was available for Rs 35.33 a litre and now the price has been increased by Rs 4.96. "Besides, wear and tear of the buses and prices of spare parts have also increased and our demand is to hike the bus fare by Rs 0.20," said Mr Tamankar.
The Association has also demanded that the Transport Minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar be sacked by the government. Meanwhile, Mr Tamankar said that he had filed a complaint with the vigilance department against former transport minister, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar for his alleged involvement in the HSRP scam but he (Tamankar) has not been provided with a copy of the FIR till date. The Goa Private Bus Owners Association secretary has threatened to go on hunger strike if proper investigation is not carried out.
