Cuttack: The Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association on Thursday reaffirmed its decision to go ahead with an all-Odisha bus strike on January 24, despite holding discussions with the State Transport Authority earlier in the day.
Confirming the association’s stand, General Secretary Debendra Sahu said the strike call remains unchanged for now. The announcement came after a meeting of the association’s office bearers with the State Transport Commissioner at the State Transport Authority (STA) office in Cuttack.
During the meeting, it was decided to constitute district-level committees comprising the district Collector, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Divisional General Manager of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), and representatives of the private bus owners’ association. The committees are expected to look into the issues raised by private operators at the local level.
However, following a subsequent meeting at their own office later in the day, the association reiterated that the proposed strike would proceed as scheduled.
The all-Odisha bus strike has been called in protest against the state government’s Mukhyamantri Bus Service, which operates bus services between blocks and district headquarters. Private operators have alleged that the scheme adversely affects their operations.
Sahu stated that four district Collectors have already agreed to the association’s demands, while a decision from the Jagatsinghpur district administration is still awaited.
“The final call on the strike will be taken after we receive the response from the Jagatsinghpur Collector tomorrow,” he said, indicating that the association may review its decision based on the outcome.
