MUMBAI, October 5: Commuters taking the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses this morning were surprised to discover they will have to shell out a little more amount for travelling by BEST buses.

The increase in BEST bus fares follows ratification of the BEST committee's decision by the Shiv Sena-BJP-dominated general body of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday to raise an amount of Rs 64.10 crore. The revised bus fares came into effect after the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) approved it. Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the civic hall, with the Congress deciding to fight against the hike at the corporation's meeting on Monday last. Leader of opposition Kishan Jadhav, former mayors R R Singh and R T Kadam and senior corporators Noshir Mehta and Ravindra Pawar alleged the procedure in passing the proposal was not properly followed.

This was denied by mayor Vishakha Raut. The house passed the proposal with 124 members voting in favour of it and 64 against it. Ravindra Pawar wanted to move an amendment to refer back the proposal. He was not allowed to do so by the mayor.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.