The West Bengal government played safe and reduced the public transport fares on Friday to preempt any criticism that might erupt after its decision to impose fresh taxes on fuel a day ago.

On Thursday, soon after the Centre announced lower prices for petrol and diesel, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta slapped an extra five per cent tax on them. However, Friday morning saw Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee ask Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty to slash bus and taxi fares.

But transport operators are a little miffed at the government’s “unilateral decision”.

Later in the afternoon, Chakraborty and Asim Dasgupta met at the Writers’ Buildings to finalise a new fare chart. Chakraborty told the media the new fare structure will hold good from February 10. Dasgupta also announced a 1.02 per cent reduction in sales tax that will come into effect from Saturday.

According to the new fare structure, the basic taxi fare will go down by Rs 2 while the minimum bus fare will remain unchanged. Bus fares will be reduced in two stages — Re 1 for a distance of 4 to 8 km and 50 paisa for 8 to 12 km. In case of the minibus, the minimum fare remains unchanged.

Sources said the government was forced to take the decision after CPI(M) top bosses at Alimuddin Street stepped in. At the routine Secretariat meeting on Friday, the issue was brought up, following which the party asked Bhattacharjee to reduce fares.

However, the government’s decision has made bus-owners an unhappy lot. Secretary of the

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