June 23, 2014
Bus strike called off after Transport Minister`s intervention
Private and mini-bus operators Sundaypostponed their three-day strike after the state transport minister, Mr MadanMitra, assured them an all-party committee would be formed by 23 June to reviewthe bus fare hike issue.
The state Government has already formed acommittee to oversee the need to raise bus fares. The committee constitutesmembers of different political parties among other people. The committee willsubmit the report within a month and place it before Chief Minister Ms. MamataBanerjee by 23 July, the Transport Minister said.
Mr Mitra held a meeting at Netaji IndoorStadium with members of private bus operators association regarding the busstrike. “We are looking into the matter. The decision to hike the price ofdiesel was taken by the Centre and state has nothing to do with it,” hesaid.
Mr Mitra requested the six bus ownersassociations that attended the meeting to call off the bus strike and wait forthe all-party committee report to examine the issue. Representatives of six busunions called off the strike following the minister`s assurance.
Mr Madan Mitra assured the bus owners thatan all-party committee will review bus fares and initiatives taken by otherstates to combat the diesel price hike. The minister promised that he wouldarrange a meeting between private bus owners and the chief minister as soon aspossible.
