Transport utility chief under fire for bus fare hike

The commuter organisations — PMP Pravasi Manch,Sajak Nagarik Manch,Pedestrians First and others — have sought to draw the attention of the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice to the fact that principles of natural justice were not followed by Band,while effecting bus fare hike. They said,Band as chairman and managing director,PMMPL,proposed the fare hike and then as chairman of the Regional Transport Authority approved the hike.

“He is playing the role of a complainant and then passing the judgement himself. He cannot play two roles at one time. It is like a bowler who first throws his ball,appeals and then gives the batsman out. Where are the principles of natural justice being followed? asked Prashant Inamdar,Pedestrians First. Among others,the complaint has been signed by activists Sujit Patwardhan,Parisar,Neeraj Jain, Lokayat,Dr Shriram Pandey,RTI Forum,Pimpri-Chinchwad,Mukund Gore, Samarth Bharat Vyaspeeth,activists Vijay Durve,Medha Thatte and Abhijit AM.

Band hurriedly approved the fare hike giving the state government no chance to intervene. “This is highly condemnable and a move which is unconstitutional. We have sought to bring this to the notice of the chief justice and chief minister,” said Jugal Rathi,PMP,Pravasi Manch. He said they have also sent the complaint to district Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar.

Inamdar said,the commuters are facing a big problem regarding redressal of their grievances. For instance,he said,commuters and activists want to lodge a complaint against the fare hike,but they have no platform to do so. “We have a serious grievance against the fare hike. The poor citizens want justice. Whom do we approach ? The redressal authority is the same authority which is proposing the fare hike. This is subversion of the constitution,” alleged Inamdar.

He said there were other means other than hiking fare,like improving services and bringing more buses on the roads to increase profits.

Pointing out that fare hike was unjustified,Rathi said due to hike in diesel prices,PMPML says it is incurring monthly loss of Rs 60 lakh. “But by hiking fare by Rs 2,it is planning to garner Rs 6.60 crore. This means that it will garner money 11 times more. The hike should cover the diesel expense and not ensure huge profits,” he said,alleging that various lobbies are at work to burden the commuters without jusitification.

Rathi said all the commuter organisations will now revive their agitation for removal of Band as per the norms.

He said under Section 68 (2) of the Motor Vehicle Act,Band cannot hold two posts at the same time. “Within a month of being appointed as CMD,PMPML,Band should have resigned,but he is illegally holding the post. We are sure if the chief minister does not give justice,the chief justice will,” said Rathi. All the commuter organisations have planned an agitation at the Band’s office on Saturday. Activists said they are planning to mob Band and make him see reason.

When contacted,Band said he was firm on his decision to hike the fare. “You will see the results in 15 days. PMPML will earn a daily profit of Rs 10 lakh,” he said. When asked how he can play the role of a complainant and the judge at the same time,Band said it was within his right to do so.

From the day he took over as CMD,PMPML, Band has been under fire. Activists have sought his removal for holding two posts illegally,illegally while the Congress has alleged that he was taking unilateral decisions. MP Suresh Kalmadi and PMC standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde,too,have expressed their ire at what they describe as Band’s autocratic style of functioning.