Assam’s minister to meet transport body over indefinite strike call

GUWAHATI: Assam’s transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has convened a meeting with the All Assam Motor Transport Association on Tuesday to sort out the problems they are facing owing to coronavirus-induced restrictions. The association has called for a statewide indefinite chakka jam from Monday demanding a hike in bus fares till the Covid protocols are in place.
However, the general secretary of the association Pradip Das said they will take a call only after the body’s executive meeting. He added, “The coronavirus pandemic has made things worse for private operators. It has been over six months now and things are yet to be normal. Hence, we want the government to waive off the road tax by 50%, quarter tax of two months and an increase in bus fare till the Covid protocols are in force.”
Expressing their strong resentment towards the government, the association said their problems have not been given any importance despite repeated requests. “The government has extended help to each sector during the lockdown period. Unfortunately, it has not taken any initiative or extended any help for the thousands of workers of the transport department,” Das added.
The association’s general secretary informed that finance minister Himana Biswa Sarma in June had asked buses to charge double the fare owing to restrictions in seating. The association warned that it would continue its strike until a positive response came from the government.
Issuing Unlock guidelines on August 14, the state government had allowed movement of public transport with 50% capacity. All Covid-19 protocols were made mandatory for public transport. “City buses are allowed subject to maintenance of all Covid-19 protocols and social distancing with 50% capacity,” an order issued by the state chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna on August 13 stated.
(With inputs from Mukut Das)