HC asks Mah govt to decide on bus concessions to 25 categories

The Bombay High Court today asked the state government to take a stand on the proposed move of Maharashtra Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to cancel the travel concessions given to school students, sports persons, blind persons, senior citizens and 25 other categories.
Hearing a petition, a bench headed by Justice Naresh Patil asked the state to explain within four weeks what steps it will take on the issue.
The petition, filed by Datta Mane, referred to media reports suggesting that MSRTC was planning to cut down the concessions given in travel to certain categories because the government was not ready to reimburse Rs 3,339 crore required for providing the facility.

MSRTC lawyer G S Hegde pleaded that the transport corporation had still not taken a decision to stop giving the concessions. He also said that MSRTC might have to cut down concessions in near future if the state was not willing to reimburse the same.
In this regard, MSRTC had sent a proposal to various government departments seeking reimbursements but their response was awaited. He also said that due to operation of private buses, the revenue of MSRTC had come down.
After hearing MSRTC, the HC bench observed that the state cannot afford to be silent on the issue and sought its reply within four weeks.