Operators Demand Higher Bus Hiring Rates for Panchayat Polls in India

Private bus owners in West Bengal have urged the government and the State Election Commission to increase the hiring rate of buses and minibuses and the refreshment allowance for employees on poll duty for the upcoming Panchayat elections. The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate stated that most operators are not willing to provide their buses on hire for the polls as the fare offered is very low in the present market situation. The JCBS has requested the transport department and SEC to raise the hiring rate of each bus per day from Rs 2,300 to Rs 3,500 and the refreshment allowance for every employee from Rs 150 to Rs 300. Tapan Banerjee, the JCBS General Secretary, highlighted that staff members were concerned about joining election duty as there is no insurance cover in case of vehicle damage during violence. JCBS demanded that every bus gets 75% advance payment of the hire amount. The State Election Commission official stated that increasing hiring rates will need consultations with the government and the bus operators and transport department officials.