Berhampur, Oct 7: Private bus owners’ associations across southern and western Odisha have withdrawn their 24-hour bandh call beginning 6 pm on Monday in protest against the proposed second phase plying of LAccMI buses from block to district headquarters.
The private bus owners’ associations announced withdrawal of the protest following a meeting with Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena today at his residence at Golanthara in Ganjam district.
Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, general secretary of Jeypore private bus owners’ association Narendra Mohanty had said several LAccMI buses, under phase one, are running from panchayat to block headquarters in the tribal-dominated districts affecting the livelihood source of the private bus operators and other staff.
Now, the state government has decided to run the LAccMI buses from block to district headquarters. We urge the government to reconsider its decision and revoke the proposal for our welfare, Mohanty said.
“All private buses will be off roads for 24 hours across the district from 6 pm on Monday to Tuesday evening as a mark of protest,” he said.
Notably, private bus owners’ associations of 14 districts in southern and western Odisha had called the protest.
