OLD GOA
The private bus owners have issued an ultimatum to the government to resolve their pending issues before the Ganesh Chaturthi failing which they will hold a one-day token protest at Azad Maidan.
The ultimatum was given after the executive committee and members of the Goa State Private Bus Owners Association (GSPBOA) met at Mesta Bhat-Merces on Sunday, to discuss over the failure of the government to resolve their issues.
Present for the meeting were GSPBOA president Sudesh Kalangutkar, general secretary Adv Mahesh Raikar, joint secretary Yaduvir Simepuruskar, treasurer Janu Naik, joint treasurer Vithal Salgaonkar and other members representing bus owners from Ponda, Bardez, Bicholim, Tiswadi and other talukas.
At the meeting, the GSPBOA have demanded that several of their pending demands should be fulfilled including disbursement of pending fuel subsidy upto March 2019 by withdrawing the objectionable clause that subsidy will be given to buses operating only on those routes where Kadamba buses are plying.
The bus owners have also demanded renewal of fuel subsidy for subsequent period.
Further, demand has been made for either revision of bus fares or proportionate grant of fuel subsidy, also exemption of taxes upto December 2021.
The bus owners have also sought release of pending insurance subsidy and bus replacement subsidy with immediate effect while also seeking all facilities provided to the KTC buses.
Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, GSPBOA president Sudesh Kalangutkar informed that they have made several correspondences to the government, particularly the Transport Department to fulfill their pending demands. “However, till date our demands remain unfulfilled due to which we are unable to operate our buses particularly due to the pandemic,” Kalangutkar informed.
“Today, only 10 to 15 per cent buses in the rural areas are operating and the bus owners are finding it difficult to run the business due to heavy losses incurred,” he stated.
“The GSPBOA demands that the government immediately fulfill our rightful demands failing which we will hold a full day token protest on September 21 at Azad Maidan from 10 am to 1 pm,” Kalangutkar warned.
He has further stated that GSPBOA will be approaching all political parties for their support to their agitation, based on which they will decide whom to extend their support in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
General secretary Adv Mahesh Raikar informed that they met the Chief Minister as well as the Transport Minister with their demands but nothing has happened thus far.
“Therefore we held the meeting today to discuss our future course of action which includes holding a protest at Azad Maidan,” he added.
