After a week of industrial action which has seen public transport absent from Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills, the East Khasi Hills district administration has requested for a meeting with all taxi and auto rickshaw associations to discuss the subject of a revision of fares.
The meeting has been called for Thursday.
Commercial vehicle owners and drivers are on strike to demand the roll-back fuel prices, a reduction of 50 per cent of taxes and/or higher fares.
Although the government pressed the state-owned Meghalaya Transport Corporation buses into service, there were too few to make up for the absence of taxis, autos and buses.
Other than a Rs 2 reduction in the price of petrol and diesel, which the strikers deemed insufficient, the government held firm until today.
Meanwhile, it was also reported today that some Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses were taking advantage of the strike to “overcharge passengers”.
The Civil Society Women Organisation (CSWO) alleged that the SPTS buses are “exploiting” the people, listing one particular bus (ML 01 7392) as charging Rs 20 per passenger from Madanrting to Laitumkrah. No ticket or receipt was provided by the conductor even when this was requested by passengers, the organisation claimed.
“The government has to streamline the public transport so that citizens are not at the receiving end. Transporters who signed agreements with the government should not exploit the people and the State has to ensure that people do not suffer,” CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing said.
She also stated that information was received by her that a patient was harassed when travelling in a private vehicle in Pynursla, East Khasi Hills, by people who demanded that private cars also stay off the road.
“This is a clear violation of the fundamental rights of a person and the government cannot promote such actions of criminal violence and should ensure safety and security for the people of the state,” Kharshiing added.
Meanwhile, citizens of West Khasi Hills, like traders, parents and students of Nongstoiñ and Riangdo, have expressed their anguish at the silence of the government over the protest of the commercial vehicle owners.
The citizens demanded that the government should run SPTS buses in every nook and corner of the district. Parents also said that though the government announced the reopening of schools, the indefinite strike has made it difficult for their children to get to school.
