Jammu, June 1: State Transport Advisory Board is likely to give its nod to the 13 per cent hike in transport fare following approval of the proposal by the Fare Standing Committee after holding negotiations with the state transporters on Tuesday.

Well informed sources told Greater Kashmir that the Committee held final round of talks with the transport union at Civil Secretariat Srinagar on Tuesday.

“Both the sides evolved a consensus on the issue and it was mutually decided that the government will be recommended to increase the fare by 13 per cent in view of the hike in fuel prices,” sources told Greater Kashmir.

They said that the transporters were adamant on their stand seeking increase of 20 per cent which was turned down by the committee. However, for the first time, the Transport department has agreed to constitute a three-member committee which shall examine the matter on regular basis.

“The committee shall examine fare hike requirements whenever the fuel prices are increased,” they said. The committee will comprise of Commissioner Transport, Secretary Transport and Secretary Finance Department. It was reliably learnt that the proposal of the Standing Committee will be forwarded to the State Transport Advisory Board for its final approval.

Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon said that he would examine the matter before giving his nod. “The proposal has not been sent to my office till late this evening”,  he said, adding that he will examine the proposal and pass the orders in next few days.

After initial resistance, the transporters have also welcomed the price hike with the hope that the matter would be taken into account in case fuel prices further increase. “It was a mutual decision following announcement by the Board that it will constitute a committee for future consideration”, Anil Chopra, one of the transporters present in the meeting said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST