The private bus operators on Friday postponed their strike over the demand for passenger fare hike to October 31. The All-Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association had earlier announced to go off the roads from October 14 if the Government did not effect the fare hike by then.
The decision to defer the strike was taken following a meeting with Commerce and Transport Minister Subrat Tarai. “The Minister apprised us of Technical Committee submitting a report on the fare hike, which was under examination. It would be sent to the Chief Minister for approval soon. Besides, as the Durga Puja festival is close, the Working Committee met today and decided to postpone the strike in the larger interest of the people”, general secretary Debendra Kumar Sahoo said.