KOZHIKODE: Talks between state transport minister A.K. Saseendran and private bus operators held here on Sunday to end their strike have failed. Though the operators were ready to accept the government announced a hike in minimum fare to Rs 8, talks failed to arrive at a consensus on increasing the students’ charge. They demanded to increase it to a minimum of two rupees, but the minister did not budge. “We have raised our various demands and problems with the minister. He was not willing to increase the students’ fare,” said Bus Operators' Association Co-ordination Committee chairman V.J. Sebastian.
On Monday, the strike will enter the fourth day, and people are already bearing the brunt. Sources said the transport minister had received a diktat from the chief minister to adhere to the government decision. “It appeared that the minister alone could not decide many issues,” said Mr Sebastian.
The bus operators’ will also start an indefinite protest before the state secretariat on Monday. Though their earlier demand was for a minimum fare of Rs 10, they came down to settle with Rs 8. Meanwhile, a group of bus owners protested at the venue for not inviting them for talks. The activists of Muslim Students Federation (MSF) took out a protest march against increasing students’ fare.
