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Taxi and private bus operators in Kolkata will go on strike over the next two weeks demanding a hike in fares .
As many as 35,000 taxis will be off the roads as four taxi operators’ unions have called for a 24-hour strike on July 25. The unions decided to go ahead with their decision after a meeting with the State Transport Minister, Mr Madan Mitra, remained inconclusive on Monday.
The unions include Bengal Taxi Association, West Bengal Drivers’ Welfare Association, the AITUC-backed Calcutta Taxi Operator’s Union and CITU-backed West Bengal Drivers’ Workers Union.
Apart from demanding nearly 30 per cent hike in taxi fares, the operators requested the State Government to look into demands such as creating dedicated taxi stands, giving advertisements on taxis, forming four pollution control centres across the city, stopping police harassment and insurance issues.
Inadequate revision
The State Transport Department recently declared a 15 per cent hike in taxi fares between 10 pm and 6 am in Kolkata. However, the operators claimed it was ‘inadequate’ .
Mr Bimal Guha, General Secretary, Bengal Taxi Association, threatened of a prolonged movement after Eid-ul-Fitr if their demands are not met even after a 24-hour strike.
Meanwhile, private bus operators have called a 24-hour strike in the city on July 31, mainly demanding a fare hike and formation of road traffic management committees.
On July 31, nearly 27,000 private buses will be off the roads. Fifteen private bus operators led by the Bengal Bus Syndicate met the transport minister on Monday to discuss their problems. But, the bus operators said the meeting was ‘unproductive’.
Mr Mitra said: “There is no scope for any fare hike at this moment.”
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