The state transport department today reiterated that it would not be extending its November 15 deadline for receiving applications for replacement of buses and mini-buses.

One of the largest bus operators of the city, meanwhile, submitted a deputation to the state transport minister at the Writers’ Buildings with its various demands.

Recently, State Transport Secretary Sumantra Chowdhuri had announced that the government has decided to showcause 2,000 bus operators for abstaining from placing replacement order for their pre-1993 buses. The showcause which set a time limit of 15 days would end on November 15. Unless satisfactory replies are received, the government has the right to suspend permits. Under Section 86 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the government could cancel permits of buses, which are not plying despite having the permits.

Following the High Court order, since August 1, more than 3,000 buses were taken off the road.

State Transport Minister Ranjit Kundu said: “Till now we have received 1,400 applications and have issued 800 replacement orders. We have decided not to extend the November 15 deadline. We have not decided what to do after that.”

According to Swarnakomal Saha, general secretary, Bengal Bus Syndicate, one of the largest private bus operators in the city, they had held a meeting with the minister whom they have asked to extend the government subsidy of Rs 50,000 to all those operators who have applied till now.

“We heard that the government decided to provide subsidy to only those who have received their replacement order within October 31. This is not fair. Many a time it is the inefficiency of the motor vehicles department that it cannot issue replacement orders fast. And we also wanted the last date to be extended,” said Saha.