Benefit of fuel prices’ cut yet to reach public

Ajay Raina
JAMMU, Feb 13: Despite recommendation of 5 per cent reduction in the fares by the transporters after lowering of petroleum prices over past six months, the State Transport Authority (STA) is yet to take final call for the same, which reflects the casual approach of the authority towards the public.
Notwithstanding reduction in petroleum prices over past six months, its benefits have not reached to the commuters in the State of J&K despite public outcry.
However, the State Transport Authority (STA) after waking up from a deep slumber is now going to submit a proposal for the reduction of fares to the Administrative Department tomorrow.
It may be recalled that the Central Government had slashed around Rs 17 per liter in petrol prices, and around Rs 12 in diesel but the transporters are reluctant to reduce the fares and enjoying the apathy of STA.
According to commuters though, the Central Government had significantly reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 12 and Rs 17 respectively over past six months, the STA did not take up the matter of the reduction in the fares with the higher authorities for the benefit of the public. Delay in the submission of proposal indicates nexus between some officials of STA and transporters.
They further said the transporters are maintaining their monopoly under the patronage of STA, due to which the general public is still paying hefty fares despite reduction on prices of petroleum products.
“In view of growing public demand, appropriate decision should be taken by the STA for reduction of the fares”, they added.
Vishal Sharma, a student told the EXCELSIOR that he was travelling from RS Pura to Vikram Chowk, and the conductor claimed old fare. When he referred to slashing in the fuel prices, the conductor asked him to sit quiet or step down from his wagon.
Another passenger, Yash Khajuria, travelling from Bari-Brahmana to Jewel, also made similar allegation and asked the STA to look into the matter seriously as the issue is related to common masses especially working class.
Not only this, the transporters also fleece the pilgrims travelling to Jammu and Katra for religious pilgrimage. Most of the complainants were received earlier also that the mini-buses ferrying passengers operating from Railway Station Jammu charge extra-fare from the pilgrims. Not only mini-buses, other commercial vehicles plying from Jammu to hilly belts including Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, etc also charge extra from the passengers.
“When there is increase in the price of the petroleum products, the transporters threaten strikes, demands increase in the fare and the authorities immediately increase the fares. Now when there is huge reduction in the petrol and diesel prices, the authorities are not taking the matter seriously. This clearly indicates the nexus between the transporters and officials in the STA”, said Sunita Sharma, a private employee.
She stated that the State is under Governor rule and Governor NN Vohra should take prompt action on this account as there is a lot of public outcry.
Anil Chopra, president, Mini-bus Workers Union and Senior Vice President, All J&K Passenger Transport Welfare Association said that they are charging fares fixed in February 2014. He further said the price of engine oil, brake oil and other spare parts has substantially increased, due to which they are unable to decrease fares. Similarly, sky-rocketing prices of daily use commodities, and increasing expenditure, is making difficult to manage their expense on the daily-basis, he added.
He stated that not only this, after the functioning of the Toll Plaza, Rs 200 and Rs 400 were to be paid for a mini-bus and bus respectively daily, which is also a matter of concern for the transporters.
Despite all this, the association in a meeting with Transport Commissioner had recommended for 5 per cent reduction in the fare-prices for the sake of the common masses and now the decision lies with authorities, Chopra added.
State Transport Commissioner Dilshada Khan told the EXCELSIOR that after conducting several meetings with transporters, a proposal has been mooted, which will be submitted to the Administrative Department tomorrow for final decision.

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