“We are not accepting the new proposed fare structure. We want changes in two cases, which we have told the minister today. While the Centre announced a cut of Rs 2 in diesel prices, the state imposed sales tax and took Re 1 in its pocket. We never want the public to suffer but if the government does not take our interests into consideration, we will protest,” said Swarnakomol Saha, president, Bengal Bus Syndicate.

Bus owners pointed out that since the price of petroleum products like mobile, brake oil, grease, among others, have not come down, the bus owners will face problems if the fare is decreased.

“We want round figures as the issue of change also creates problems. While the state is imposing extra sales tax, they are trying to gain public sympathy by hitting our pockets. We have been assured that the matter will be looked into and we are waiting for Wednesday’s meeting,” said Sadhan Saha, president, Joint Council of Bus Syndicate.