Daijiworld Media Network - Hubballi (MS)

Hubballi, Jan 6: Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that the decision regarding the increase in the bus fares of KSRTC buses will be taken in a week's time.

"All the transport organizations are in financial crunch. So there is a demand to hike the fare," said the CM to the scribes.

Kumaraswamy further said, "Earlier when the price of fuel was increased, the tax percentage on the same was reduced. Now because the price of the fuel has come down, the tax is increased. Even after this increase in tax, our tax percentage is the lowest in the country."

The transport department has already submitted a proposal of increasing the bus fare from 14 to 18% for the buses that come under the limits of KSRTC. It is learnt that finance department has given its nod to the CM to agree for the hike in bus fare.

KSRTC, BMTC, Northeast and Northwest transport had already sent a proposal to increase the bus fare by 18% around three months ago. However, there was vehement opposition by the public on the hike of bus fare. CM Kumaraswamy had also declined the proposal of the transport department.

Now, the price of petrol and diesel is falling since the last 10 weeks, which has dealt a blow to the income of the government. So the government has increased the tax. Public are spending anxious moments thinking that there will be hike in bus fares again.