Karnataka govt. willing to reduce fares if Centre cuts diesel price: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar

D.K. Shivakumar.

Defending the bus fare hike, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said it had been necessitated by the increase in diesel prices effected by the Union government, and that the State government was willing to proportionately reduce fares if the Centre made a downward revision in diesel prices.

“The State-owned road transport corporations are facing losses. About three weeks ago, the State government had to intervene when the RTCs did not have money to purchase diesel. The government gave the money,” he told reporters here in response to the State-wide protest announced by the Opposition parties for Thursday.

The Chief Minister said that the RTCs are facing severe financial stress due to Shakti, one of the five Congress guarantees that allows free travel for women across the State. “That is why ₹2 to ₹3 may have increased for every stage. Why did the Opposition not raise its voice when the cost of diesel and petrol was revised? Why were they silent when the cost of domestic LPG, pesticides, cement, iron and fertilizers went up? Is the Opposition not bothered about the increase in the cost of agricultural implements?”

Mr. Shivakumar said that he was aware of the plight of farmers during the drought year and their livelihood concerns. “Transport corporations should survive. Opportunity should be given for them to recover financially,” he said.