Govt urged

IMPHAL, Oct 10 : The Committee on COVID-19 Manipur, which is a conglomerate body of CADA, UPF, NIPCO, AMSU, UPACO and MAPI Council, has urged the State Government to fix rate of fares and other charges of local public transport system.
The Committee on COVID-19 Manipur, in a statement, noted that normalcy is returning gradually with the improvement of Covid situation in the State and more activities are being allowed as a part of the unlock process.
The State Government had recently allowed public transport buses to start operating with passengers limited to 50 percent of the actual capacity and other smaller local transport services have also started operating.
However, these transport systems are charging fares at their will on the pretext of limited seat capacity and high fuel prices, the committee said.
The exceptionally high fare and transport charges have also led to arguments among service providers and passengers and the relation between the service providers and public is certain to deteriorate further as more activities are opened up gradually and festive season is fast approaching. As such, the State Government should come out with a reasonable fare rate and other operating protocol which would be acceptable by both the public and the transport system, the committee appealed.
The committee further drew the attention of all public transport service providers to be reasonable while imposing transportation charges and to approach the Government for any grievance instead of imposing hefty charges at their will.
While appealing to the State Government to mobilise the State owned buses lying unused at the MST office to ease the pressure on the public transport system, the committee forewarned of a public protest if necessary measures are not taken up timely.
The committee further appealed all to continue adhering to Covid appropriate behaviours and other guidelines at public places and while using the public transport system until Covid situation is completely eliminated.