Mitra does u-turn after being reprimanded by CM

Reprimanded for his comments on reducing staff strength of the state-run transport PSUs,Transport Minister Madan Mitra did a u-turn today saying his remarks were twisted by some news channels.

“The government under the leadership of Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee would never even think of retrenchment of staff. I told yesterday that VRS scheme will be introduced in transport corporations and under no circumstances the government would take a policy of retrenchment,” Mitra said hours after the Chief Minister summoned him and Transport Secretary BP Gopalika to Writers’ Buildings. Banerjee is learnt to have sought clarification from Mitra regarding his yesterday’s comment. Mitra reportedly told the Chief Minister that he never said that the government would adopt a policy of retrenchment in PSUs.

Mitra today announced that the transport department has decided to make changes in the fare structure of state-run buses and trams because of acute crisis of coins. The price of tickets worth Rs 4.50 will be increased to Rs 5 while tickets worth Rs 5.50 would be reduced to Rs 5. Those buying tram tickets worth Rs 3.50 will have to pay 50 paisa more while the price of tickets worth Rs 4.50 will be reduced by 50 paisa.

“The uniformity has been brought to tackle coin crisis,” Mitra said.