The Kozhikode District Consumer Protection Committee (KDCPC) has called upon the State government to conduct a public discussion on the acceptability of the proposed bus fare revision recommended by the Justice Ramachandran Nair Fare Revision Committee.
T.K.A. Azeez and P. Suresh Babu, leaders of the forum, alleged that the recommendation made by the commission was totally in favour of private bus owners, and it had nothing to protect the interest of helpless commuters. The suggestions should not be implemented without proper discussions in public forums, they said.
The demand of commuters that the unscientific fixing of fare stage be settled was pending with the government for a long time as bus owners were not willing to cooperate with it. The commission too maintained silence on the issue and gave nod for an unjust fair increase, they said.
Mr. Azeez and Mr. Suresh Babu said the fair revision, earlier made in the name of saving the KSRTC services, was a total failure. “Twice they increased the charges, holding the same argument,” they said.
According to the KDCPC leaders, the commission did not even look at the suggestions made by various consumer forums and passengers’ organisations.
“Political parties too maintained silence on the issue as if they wanted to support the latest commission report,” they said.
