Odisha Govt refuses to budge, appeals Pvt bus operators to withdraw stir

Bhubaneswar: Amid harrowing time for passengers and as hundreds of them rush to catch a bus after private bus owners’ outfit declared to go on strike in Odisha from October 20, the Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu today requested the association to call off the stir and come for a discussion.

It is not the strike but a discussion, which will help find a way out. LAccMI bus service is a welfare scheme of the Chief Minister and will continue to operate as before. The CM wishes to take development and transformation in the State to the grassroots level through this scheme. However, people should not be put into trouble during the festive season, and strikes be called off, Minister Sahu expressed.

Also Read: Private buses in Odisha to go off roads again from October 20

“We had previously held meetings and again called for a discussion on October 26. People have been welcoming the LAccMI scheme and the outfit should admit it,” the Transport Minister asserted.

Replying to this, private bus owners’ association secretary Debendra Sahu said, “Discussions have been going on for nearly the last six months but the minister was never present in any of the meetings. However, the Transport Secretary had earlier discussed with regard to our charter of demands. We are prepared to accept the request made by the minister but this should be given to us in writing.”

“Still there is time to discuss and consider our demands. Whatever was decided in today’s meeting be given in writing. We do not have faith in the verbal commitments of the Government. There is no difference of opinion among the outfit members and we all stand united,” the secretary added.