No Minimum Fare Nor Female Concession in HRTC Buses On July 1

Shimla, July 01 (Himachal Tonite Bureau )

The Jairam Government with much show and pompous announced a 50 percent concession in the bus fare for female passengers traveling within the state during their ambitious program “Nari ko Naman”.

As per the announcement by CM from June 30, 2022 fare for female passengers was supposedly reduced and this concession was to be effective from July 1 in the state. However, the benefits were not given to the female passengers on the very day on which the scheme was to be implemented.

Another announcement made by Chief Minister included cutting down the minimum fare from Rs 7 to Rs. 5. Even images of him being handed over Rs 5 ticket by a conductor in a HRTC service at Dharmshala on Thursday, June 30, 2020 circulated all across News and social media.

The image above shows the ground reality of the implementation of the scheme. Many female passengers felt cheated as the fare on the same route mentioned in the ticket was already Rs. 7 the minimum fare as said Rs. 5 was not charged nor did they get any 50 percent concession. Basically, no concession or basic minimum fare as announced was chared from them.

Commenting on the issue Gaurav Sharma, State Spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party, says, “Nakal Ko Bhi Akal Lagti Hai… Women travelling in HRTC buses and going to other states are going to be charged the regular fare and it’s a dual rule which is totally worng.”

Whereas Sashi Shekhar Congress Leader says, “It’s a publicity stunt and an attempt to woe votes but this will not take them a long way.”

As per the reliable source, no notification so far has been prepared or sent to the concerned department for implementation of the same schemes.

Minister Transport Bikram Thakur and MD HRTC, Sandeep Kumar were unavailable to take calls in spite of being called a number of times.