SHILLONG, June 13 - The Meghalaya Cabinet on Friday approved of a hike in the fares of public transport vehicles. However, no hike will be effected in local taxi fares.
The Cabinet gave its nod to increase of fare from Rs 1.05 per person per kilometre to Rs 1.80 per person per kilometre with respect to public transport vehicles, State carriages and mini buses.
For vehicles with seven seats or more, the fare will go up from Rs 2.05 per person per kilometre to Rs 3.60 per person per kilometre.
However, the fares of local taxis will remain unchanged as these had already been hiked in January this year.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that local taxi fares were increased to Rs 26 per person per kilometre and Rs 13 for every subsequent kilometre in January last.
Similarly, autorickshaw fares were also increased in January to Rs 14 per person per kilometre and Rs 6 for every subsequent kilometre.
�A few days back, members of a local taxi association requested for a fare hike. When we examined the revised rates effected in January, we found them to be reasonable. So the question of hiking the taxi fares again does not arise,� Tynsong added.
The Meghalaya Cabinet also approved of a draft Motor Vehicles Accident Tribunal in consonance with a Supreme Court and Delhi High Court order.
Tynsong said that issues relating to accident claims from insurance companies would be settled through the tribunal instead of in courts. The decision of the tribunal will be final under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved of the transfer of a 64.34-acre plot of land of the Urban Affairs and General Administration Department at Mawdiangdiang to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
