Undue fare increase
Toufiq-E-Elahi Choudhury, New Eskaton, Dhaka
The government has raised the oil prices to adjust the local prices of oil with the international prices. It is always seen that the prices of essentials along with the fares of bus and truck are increased by certain undue profit-seeking groups at a much higher rate than the rate of oil price increase. Even the fares of the CNG-driven buses were nearly doubled during the last price hike without any valid grounds. Surprisingly, the then minister for communications, Mr. Nazmul Huda, supported the increase of fare of the CNG- driven bus in the city which is now the main mode of transport of middle and lower income groups. It was reported that the then minister and his close aides used to run the CNG-driven buses in the city, many of which operated without proper papers (now seen kept in a field beside Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway). We want precautionary measures from the present government against the move of that quarter to increase CNG-run bus fares following the oil price hike. We also seek government intervention for reducing the present extravagant fare of the CNG-run buses in Dhaka city and other parts of the country to help the middle and lower income groups.
|
|
