Jammu, May 31: The first round of talks between transporters and State Transport Advisory Board over the proposed fare hike today remained inclusive. The talks are likely to resume on Tuesday.
 Sources said a high level meeting of Fare Standing Committee of State Transport Advisory Board held threadbare discussion with transporters led by MLC TS Wazir and Anil Chopra at civil secretariat in the summer capital at Srinagar on Monday.
 The official committee comprised Commissioner Secretary Finance Sudanshu Pandey, Transport Commissioner Dr Sayed Fazal-ullah, Commissioner Secretary Transport Asgar Samoon and Regional Transport Officers of both Jammu and Kashmir regions.
 Though the talks were held in conducive atmosphere, it failed to evolve any consensus over the fixation of fare. The transporters were demanding an increase of 20 percent in the transport fare, while the government representatives termed the demand as unreasonable.
 Sources said the Board members made it clear that the government could not increase more than 13 per cent of fare as it may lead to additional burden on the common man. The transporters argued that the fare has not been increased from years despite increase in the fuel prices leading to a great loss to the people associated with transport industry.
 “The proposed fare enhancement by the government is unacceptable,” Anil Chopra, a representative of transporters present in the meeting said.
 He said the meeting remained inclusive but the Board has expressed desire to hold another round of talks on Tuesday.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST