THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cracks seemed to have appeared in the private bus operators confederation after the government on Monday slapped showcause notice on them and threatened to cancel their permits. A few operators in Thiruvananthapuram resumed bus services after noon.Transport Commissioner K Padmakumar had directed the RTOs to issue the showcause notice to private bus operators registered with them. If they fail to respond, their bus permit will be cancelled, said Padmakumar. The indefinite strike by private bus operators, which entered its fourth day on Monday, is being observed in violation of Section 152 of the Motor Vehicle Act, said officers.
The permit condition mandates bus operators run the service at the rate fixed by the government.
In Ernakulam, the RTO issued notice to over 22 bus owners. “The notice has been issued following the directive of the Transport Commissioner. Over 22 bus owners have been asked to explain in writing why they are not operating buses despite taking permits,” said RTO Reji P Varghese.
The private bus operators alleged the government was threatening them so that they withdraw the strike. “But we won’t relent. We are ready to give our buses for custody of MVD. In Ernakulam, not a single private bus is operating,” said M B Satyan, president of the Kerala Bus Operators Federation.The absence of private buses from the state’s roads has come as a boon to KSRTC, as commuters flooded the buses and the state-owned carrier ferried 42 lakh passengers on Saturday and 35 lakh passengers on Sunday.
This Sunday, KSRTC mopped up Rs 6.7 crore, which is Rs 1.29 crore higher than last Sunday’s collection. Its daily collection on Saturday was a record Rs 7.85 crore. It operated 289 more buses to meet the demand of passengers. Most of the buses have been deployed in the northern part of the state, which has been particularly affected by the private bus strike.Monday’s ticket sale revenue will be available the next day. Officers said it will likely be KSRTC’s largest collection till date.
Plea in HC to impose ESMA
Kochi: A petition has been filed before the Kerala HC seeking a directive to invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the strike by private bus operators. On Tuesday, the HC will consider the petition filed by Kochi Corporation councillor Thampi Subramanian, who claimed that the government and Collector have failed to take action to maintain the essential service.
Tough-talking minister warns of legal action
Kozhikode: Taking a tough stand against the ongoing strike by private bus operators, Transport Minister A K Saseendran on Monday warned of legal action against them.Speaking to the media here, the minister said that the government has many methods, including legal action, to end the strike, which began on February 16.
“However, we have not decided on such a move yet. But, we will take strict action if the strike is not called off. Bus operators should not create such a situation,” he said.Further talks with bus operators will be held only after a discussion with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he said. While the bus operators want an increase in the students’ concession rate, the minister made it clear that a rate hike is not on the cards.