Bus operator's body calls for two-day strike in WB

A major bus operator's body today called a two-day strike on September 19 and 20 across West Bengal demanding immediate fare hike, even as the state government asking it not to take any such move till Kali Puja.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate, claiming to have control over 37,000 buses in districts and 6,500 in the city, announced that it would observe a two-day strike on September 19 and 20 demanding immediate fare increase.
"We have taken a unanimous decision to call the two-day strike," council leader Tapan Banerjee said.
Shortly after this announcement, Transport Minister Madan Mitra said the state government would like to call the bus owners for discussions in a day or two and urged them not to go for strikes during the coming festival days upto the Kali Puja period.

"The government is having a close look at the situation and is in no mood to raise transport fare," he said.
When contacted, another bus operators' body, Bengal Bus Syndicate, said it would meet next week to review the situation.