Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) A section of taxi owners’ associations in West Bengal Wednesday called a token strike July 14, demanding a fare hike in view of the recent increase in diesel prices, said a Bengal Taxi Association leader.

“We have decided not to ply our taxis on July 14 as a token shutdown over our demands, including revision of fare. We repeatedly urged the chief minister and the transport department to look into our demands, but nothing was done. We were left with no other option but to call the strike,” said Bimal Guha, president of Bengal Taxi Association.

Taxi fares were revised last in 2009 since when the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased seven times, he said.

“Our four-point charter of demands includes revision of fares, a stop on police harassment, a halt on filing pollution cases without informing vehicle owners and preventing private vehicles from carrying passengers,” Guha told IANS.

The Bengal Taxi Association, the Calcutta Taxi Association and the West Bengal Drivers Welfare Association will participate in the strike. “More than 35,000 taxis will not ply on city roads on July 14,” he said.

The Progressive Taxi Men’s Association backed by the Trinamool Congress leader and Minister of State (independent charge) Sports Madan Mitra will not participate in the token strike. About 1,200 taxis of the PTMA will ply on the roads, said an organisation member.