Private bus fares may go up in State
The Hindu
Minister holds talks with owners’ unions
Private bus fares in the State are likely to be hiked soon, with Transport Minister Antony Raju indicating that a decision will be taken on the demands put forward by bus owners’ unions without adding much of an extra burden on the public.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday after the second round of talks with the unions, he said the Government was considering the demand for bus charge increase in view of the huge hike in fuel prices.
A coordination committee of various bus owners unions has been demanding an increase in the minimum fare from ₹8 to ₹12 and the rate for students to ₹6. Another demand was permission to charge ₹1 for every additional kilometre and a diesel subsidy. In addition to the fuel price hikes, they had also cited the loss sustained after the COVID-19 outbreak due to extended lockdowns and low numbers of passengers even after the opening up.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.