Commerce and Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi on Wednesday said a decision on the quantum of hike in bus fares would be taken very soon.
Following a threat given by the Odisha Private Bus Owners' Association (OPBOA) to stop their bus services from August 9, Majhi appealed to the bus operators to withdraw their decision.
"The private bus owners had urged the Government to hike bus fare by seven paise per kilometer. After discussions regarding the issue, the demand was sent to the technical committee to give its views on bus fare hike," said the Minister, adding, "After getting the technical committee's report, we will announce our decision."
Notably, the OPBOA had on Tuesday warned the Government of a State-wide stir if it fails to meet its demand by August 8. Nearly 14,000 private buses would stay off the road during the agitation, sources said.
According to OPBOA general secretary Debendra Kumar Sahu, though the fare hike proposal has been sent to the technical committee since July 17, no decision has been taken as yet. "So, we took the decision for a strike," he said.
Sahu said the departmental Minister and officials had assured the association that they would look into their demand and take a positive step in this regard very soon.
