Transporters’ ultimatum on fare hike

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 9: All J&K Transport Welfare Association has given ultimatum to  State Government to increase fare of the transport vehicles before November 18, otherwise, transporters/operators will go on  strike from November 19.
In a meeting of  all the transporters held under the chairmanship of  Anil Chopra from  All J&K Transport Welfare Association, the representatives from Banihal, Poonch, Kathua, R S Pura, Chamb route bus unions, 2×2 Bus Union,  Mini Bus, Taxi Operator Union, Auto Riksha Unions besides transporters from Kashmir also participated.
B B Gupta, Pritam Singh, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Kuldip Singh, S S Bajwa , R P Kohli, V S Chib Ram Paul, Rashpal Singh and others expressed serious concern over the delay being caused by Government to announce fare hike. They said  Unions have approached Government many times to issue orders regarding hike in the passenger fare. A committee was also framed for  the purpose after a meeting was held at Srinagar on October 8. The Government assured to announce hike before October 25 but nothing happened till date. They said transporters are against strikes, but Government is forcing them to do so. They said reasonable time has been given to the Government and they will go on strike from November 19 if Government failed to announce hike in passenger fare.