Jammu, July 18: The state government on Sunday decided to increase the passenger fare by 13 per cent. Following which transporters withdrew the strike call for July 19.
Officials said a delegation of the representatives of various transport unions met the minister for Medical and Technical Education R S Chib and minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia here this evening to discuss their demands threadbare. “After hectic deliberations ministers announced that fares will be increased by 13 per cent,” they added.
 The Transport Commissioner, according to the officials, has been authorized to revise the fare hence forth taking into consideration the rise in prices of diesel. The notification in this regard will be issued within 2-days.
 “the government has assured us that notification in this regard will be issued by tomorrow evening. Following which we decided to call off the strike,” said Anil Chopra, president All J&K Passenger Welfare Association.
 He said that government had also assured them regular review of the fare according to the changes in the oil prices.
 When contacted Transport Commissioner Syed Fazlula said the revised fares would be notified tomorrow.
 Pertinently, Transport Union representatives had met Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon on May 26 during which the union members had sought 35 per cent hike in the passenger fare.
 The government had increased the passenger fare in 2008 by 14 per cent while the transporters were demanding 20 per cent increase.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST