Transporters call off proposed strike after govt ‘nod’ to fare hike
Srinagar: Transporters in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday called off their proposed indefinite strike saying the government had agreed in principle over their demands including a “19 percent hike in fare” besides others.
Authorities in the J&K Transport Department, however, did not specify any particular percentage of hike in the fare sanctioned to the transporters.
All Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (AKTWA) chairman Shabir Ahmad Matta while confirming that they had called off the strike said that the authorities in the Transport department, whom they met in Jammu this morning, had “approved in principle over 19 percent hike in the fare”.
Matta while expressing gratitude to the government for fulfilling one of their key demands, said transporters never intend to cause inconvenience to the general public, however, steep increase in the cost of petroleum products had forced them to take the extreme decision.
It may be in place to mention that transporters had decided to go for an indefinite strike from Wednesday to press for their demands including hike in passenger fares and roll back of road tax for the lockdown period.
“We have decided to call off our indefinite strike after the government increased passenger fare by 19 percent. We are thankful to the government for considerate decision. We have been assured that other demands will also be considered,” added Matta.
The government had also assured the transporters that their other demands, including waiving off token tax for the lockdown period, would be looked into, Matta added.
However, Commissioner Secretary Transport department, Hirdesh Kumar said the department had not yet finalized on any particular percentage of hike in the fare even as a hike has indeed been approved in favour of the transporters.
He said an official order in this regard would be issued once the Administrative Council approves the proposal in coming days.
