Private bus operators have withdrawn their plan to launch an indefinite State-wide strike from Monday.
The decision was made following discussions Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had with leaders of the Kerala Private Bus Operators’ Coordination Committee and Private Bus Operators Confederation here on Sunday. Speaking to media persons after the discussions, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the government would consider the demands raised by the operators sympathetically. ‘‘The report of the Justice Ramachandran Commission, set up to study the demand for increasing the bus fare, is under the possession of the government. The demand to implement the fare revision will be considered. The practical aspects of the implementation will be taken up for discussion at the next Cabinet meeting,’’ he said.
The demands of bus operators included increase in the minimum fare to Rs.10, hike in the fare stage for one kilometre to 68 paise, and a 50 per cent hike in student concession. Soon after the Minister briefed reporters, leaders of the Private Bus Operators’ Coordination Committee gave their views on the matter. However, leaders of the Private Bus Operators Confederation claimed that the coordination committee had not declared strike and questioned their motive behind participating in the discussions.
