Agartala, Feb 23(TIWN):Despite lowering of petroleum prices over past six months, the State Transport Department is yet to take final call in reduction of passenger fares,which reflects the casual approach of the authority towards the public.

Notwithstanding reduction in petroleum prices over past six months, its benefits have not reached to the commuters in the state despite public outcry.
Report says, a proposal was sent to transport minister Manik Dey for constituting a committee for reviewing  passenger fare, however the minister rejected the proposal.       
It may be recalled that the Central Government had slashed around Rs 17 per liter in petrol prices, and around Rs 12 in diesel but the transporters are reluctant to reduce the fares and enjoying the apathy of transport minister..
According to commuters though, the Central Government had significantly reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 12 and Rs 17 respectively over past six months, Dey did not take up the matter of the reduction in the fares with the concerned  authorities for the benefit of the public.
They further said the transporters are maintaining their monopoly under the patronage of  CITU, due to which the general public is still paying hefty fares despite reduction on prices of petroleum products.

The minister taking stand in favor of owners and drivers  said that they are charging fares fixed in 2012. He further said the price of engine oil, brake oil and other spare parts has substantially increased, due to which they are unable to decrease fares. Similarly, sky-rocketing prices of daily use commodities, and increasing expenditure, is making difficult to manage their expense on the daily-basis, he added
“When there is increase in the price of the petroleum products, the transporters threaten strikes, demands increase in the fare and the authorities immediately increase the fares. Now when there is huge reduction in the petrol and diesel prices, the authorities are not taking the matter seriously”, said Tripti Chanda, a Women’s College student.