Bangladesh
Bus Fare | Mobile Court Mobile court to stop collection of extra fares in transport
Dhaka, November 10: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has warned transport companies against charging extra fares from passengers and harassing them, stating that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible.
Though the leaders of the Transport Owners 'Association and the Workers' Federation have promised to collect the fare at the re-fixed rate, there have been allegations of higher fares in various transports. The minister made the remarks at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday (October 9th).
Obaidul Quader said the government has rescheduled the fares of diesel-only transport only to make-up for the increase in price of diesel and kerosene. The BRTA's mobile courts are being set up at various places in the Dhaka metropolis against the extra fare, the bridge minister said.
He said instructions have already been issued at the field level to conduct mobile courts to take action against the collection of extra rent across the country. The Minister urged all concerned, including Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Highway Police and District Police to play an effective role in this regard.
Obaidul Quader said that although some media outlets are playing a responsible role, one or two media outlets are playing a negative role and insulting the government, which is not expected.
The bridge minister said that some people are saying that it is a game of cheating, while others say that they have found the smell of collusion. A fake organization called Jatri Kalyan Samiti is also criticizing without knowing or understanding the issue.
Obaidul Quader asked, "If the transport strike had continued, would it have been beneficial for the people?" In this case, the Minister thinks that the valuable advice of the media is more important to reduce the suffering of the passengers in the continuity of the past.
The Awami League general secretary said that the rise in fuel prices was a casual event during the BNP's tenure, but the people did not forget it even though the BNP forgot about it. They could not reduce the price.
Obaidul Quader further said that despite the low price of fuel oil in the international market, the BNP had increased the price in the country.
Although the Awami League has increased prices five times in the last 13 years, it has also reduced prices five times, said the bridge minister. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had reduced fuel prices within seven days of taking office in 2009.
