This was decided at a meeting, which was attended by representatives of Bengal Taxi Association, West Bengal Drivers Welfare Association, Kolkata Taxi Association, the minister and transport secretary Sumantra Chowdhury.
President of Bengal Taxi Association, Bimal Guha claimed that the state government has agreed to their demand on increasing the fares in the wake of rising fuel process. “The transport minister has assured us that from now on the minimum taxi fare will be Rs 22 instead of Rs 20 for the first two kilometers. After that for every 200 metres, passengers will be charged Rs 2, instead of Rs 1.80 paisa as charged previously. The new fares will be applicable from July 1,” he added.
The final decision, however, will rest on the Left Front meeting, which is scheduled to take place on June 27. The taxi owners also demanded that car pool services and shuttle services that ply “illegally” across the city should be stopped immediately. “The car pool services are illegal as they are not authorised. None of them have any legal papers. Their services affect our business adversely,” said Guha.
The state government is also hopeful that the strike called by Petrol Pump Owners Association from June 30 will be called off. The representatives of the petrol pump association met Chakraborty today and complained that various oil companies were charging Rs 2.20 on diesel and Rs 4.50 on petrol over and above the stipulated rates. The minister will hold a meeting with them and oil companies on June 25 to find an amicable solution.