Bantwal, December 30: A strike was called by Nagarika Kriya Samiti, Mudipu demanding to reduce bus fares on Tuesday, December 30th.
Bus service came to a halt since early morning.
Santhosh Kumar Rai Boliyar- Zilla panchayat member speaking during the protest said, “There are no gains from the projects launched by the central government for the benefit of citizens. The protest held today is just a symbolic one. If the concerned authorities and bus owners do not decrease the fares, we will intensify the protests after January 7th, said Santhosh Kumar Rai.
He further said, negotiations were done with the bus operators and the concerned departments regarding the decrease of bus fare after the fall in fuel prices.
This protest was called since there was no response from the bus operators post the preliminary meeting. Hence we have held this symbolic protest. If there is no response from the bus operators even now, then the protest will take a different form, he said.
Rajaram Bhat-president Nagarika Kriya Samiti said “Even though the drivers and conductors in government buses draw more salaries compared to private buses, the private buses charge more fare.
They do not have the specific fare for a specified distance and are following a biased rule. It is sad to observe that private bus staff treating the passengers in a beast like manner.
The bus operators too have supported the bandh by stopping their services from early morning. As bus bundh was called, shops remained open. Ambulance movement was not affected.
Devdas Bhandary- president-Kurnadu panchayat, Naveen Padalpady-president of Kurnadu Shakthi Kendra, Moideen- JD(S) leader, Azgar Ali- BJP leader Siraj, and Abdul Rahiman and many others were present during the protest.
