Bengal bus operators firm on strike

Kolkata, June 21 (IANS) Demanding a commitment from the government to increase bus fares, West Bengal's bus operators Saturday stuck to their decision to call a three-day strike beginning June 25.

Six private bus and minibus operators of the state had earlier this week announced the strike protesting against the state government's failure to revise fares in sync with the diesel price hike.

"We want to know clearly from the minister whether he will raise the fares, and from which date," a spokesman of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate (JCBS), one of the largest bus operators in the state, told media persons.

The JCBS runs 37,000 buses across Bengal, including 8,000 in the state capital Kolkata.

The JCBS leaders, who held a meeting during the day, said they have taken a unanimous decision to go on strike June 25-27.

"All six unions have taken a unanimous decision that till the minister makes a clear cut commitment on a fare hike, we won't go back on our decision to go for the strike," said the spokesman.

The state government has formed an all-party committee to look into the issue and suggest ways to improve bus services.

The committee is expected to submit its report within a month.