Kolkata, July 28: The West Bengal Government today ruled out a hike in bus, minibus and taxi fares following recent increase in fuel prices, saying the present situation did not merit it and warned of stern action if the transport operators went for a strike.
Transport minister Ranjit Kundu said after a meeting with the operators, "Though the operators' profit margin can reduce to a some extent with the hike in petroleum prices, the situation does not demand a hike in bus, minibus and taxi fares putting pressure on common people."
Moreover, he said, with the government deciding to share a portion of the operators' additional burden by levying a cess of Re 1 per litre of diesel, their business will not suffer much; only their margin will be reduced to a some extent.