Bus operators call for indefinite strike in Odisha from Nov 1

Bhubaneswar: The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association (AOPBWA) today threatened to go for an indefinite strike from November 1 if the State government fails to fulfil their five-point charter of demands.

The association took this decision at a state-level meeting today before briefing the media in a press conference in Odisha capital.

An official of the association said they had handed over a memorandum in this regard to the government on October 3.

Speaking to reporters, AOPBWA  Secretary Debendra Sahu said, “First, the State government is again going to collect money at toll gates which was stopped following our resistance in 2015. Secondly, the government is bringing a Bill in the Assembly to increase tax collection. Thirdly, police checking and revision of fare every year under automated mechanism.”

Despite our repeated requests the State government didn’t pay any heed to sort out these issues. Therefore, all private buses will stay off roads across the State from November 1 for an indefinite period, Sahu fumed.

Meanwhile, truck owners and operators called for a 36-hour nationwide strike starting from 8 am on October 9 protesting against the disruptive policies under Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demanding inclusion of diesel in the new indirect tax’s ambit.