PANAJI
Expressing complete displeasure at being excluded from the decision-making process while launching the revamped ‘Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025’, bus operators have refused to be part of the scheme unless the government releases their pending fuel subsidy worth Rs 18 crore.
Private Bus Operators on Sunday held a meeting to discuss their grievances and it was resolved that unless their pending subsidy is released, they will not be part of the scheme, which proposes fuel subsidy of Rs three per kilometre for every kilometre operated.
There are approximately 1,250 private buses operational in the State while there are many off road and unable to resume operations after COVID pandemic.
Addressing media persons, president of the All Goa Stage Carriage Bus Owners’ Association, Sudesh Kalangutkar said that there is no clarity on the scheme and also questioned as why the bus operators were not consulted before drafting the revised scheme
He said that the government has framed policies for the transport sector without taking bus operators into confidence. “There is a pending fuel subsidy worth Rs 18 crore for two years which is not released. Unless that is released, how can we trust the government on the new scheme,” he said.
Kalangutkar said that the bus operators have decided not to join any scheme unless their payment is released. He also said that despite several reminders to the government, the demand is been ignored.
“In the revised scheme, the government has offered Rs 3 per km fuel subsidy. Considering the diesel prices, how is this enough?” he said.
Kalangutkar informed that several private buses remain off the roads, unable to resume operations after the Covid pandemic and also because their life span has been over 15 years.
“Government should first consider helping operators by bringing these buses back on the roads, rather than introducing new schemes that create more problems. The re-launched scheme offers a bus replacement option, wherein operators who need to replace buses older than 15 years will receive assistance of Rs 10 lakh to purchase a new bus with a minimum seating capacity of 27, but there is no clarity how and by when we will get this money.
In the revised scheme, the government has also announced an insurance subsidy, wherein operators can avail themselves of a 50% reimbursement on the annual insurance premium, up to Rs 30,000.
The government has said that the bus to be operated under this scheme shall not be older than 15 years from the date of its initial registration. However, for an initial period of 3 years buses upto 20 years will be eligible to participate in this scheme.
