Kolkata, Oct 29 The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, the apex body of private bus operators in West Bengal, on Thursday urged the government to clear pending payments for vehicles requisitioned for the assembly elections.
The association’s general secretary, Tapan Banerjee, also demanded uniform compensation rates for vehicles deployed by the police and the Election Commission ahead of the upcoming civic polls.
Civic elections in Kolkata, Howrah and a few other urban local bodies are expected to be held in November.
In a letter to Transport Minister Arjun Singh, Banerjee said several bus and minibus owners were yet to receive payments for vehicles requisitioned for election duty, even though the assembly polls concluded in May.
The owners had repeatedly approached the authorities concerned, including the Kolkata Police, but their dues remained unpaid, he said.
Banerjee said a delegation had met the transport minister on September 14 and sought clearance of the pending payments before Durga Puja.
“Although the minister had assured that the dues would be settled, the owners are still awaiting payment,” he claimed.
The association also alleged that several buses and minibuses requisitioned before the assembly elections remained in police custody.
Raising concerns over the financial burden on operators, Banerjee said several vehicles had subsequently been requisitioned for Durga Puja duties as well, leaving owners struggling to meet their financial obligations.
“Who will pay the wages of workers deployed with these buses and minibuses, and when will the owners receive their dues,” the association asked in its representation to the state government.
According to the representation, the police pay Rs 800 for a bus and Rs 900 for a minibus, while the Election Commission pays Rs 2,700 for a bus and Rs 2,300 for a minibus.
The association also flagged a disparity in the daily food allowance for personnel deployed with the vehicles. While the Election Commission provides Rs 280 per staff member per day, the police pay only Rs 80, it claimed.
“Why should there be different rates for the same work,” the council asked, seeking a uniform payment structure.
Banerjee urged the state government to resolve the issue, warning that a delay could force operators to launch an agitation.
A Transport Department official said the minister was examining the demands, weighing all relevant factors, and that bus operators would be informed of the steps taken by the government after Diwali.
“The minister had assured the private bus owners that their demands would be examined after the festive season,” he said.
“We will assess all aspects after detailed discussions with the Election Commission before taking a decision. We seek the cooperation of private bus operators,” he added.
(PTI News)
