At PMC, NGOs beg to protest against PMPML-proposed Rs 1 fare increase

To protest against the proposed fare hike of Re 1 by the PMPML, several NGOs staged a 'Bheek Mango Andolan' outside Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) office yesterday.

Protesters begged for Re 1 from passers-by and tried handing over the collected amount to the Mayor, the Municipal Commissioner, and the Standing Committee chairperson. The protestors submitted an application demanding cancellation of the hike.

Members of PMP Pravasi Manch, Sajag Nagarik Manch, India Against Corrup-tion, Bharat Swabhimaan Sangathana, Lokayat and other NGOs took part in the protest.

"We received a tremendous response from the people. We collected Rs 690. The Mayor and the other PMC officials refused to take the money. We are now going send the money the Chief Minister.

Around 60 lakh people from the city and Pimpri-Chinchwad are solely dependent on PMPML buses. We want the decision to hike the bus fare be reconsidered," PMP Pravasi Manch president Jugal Rathi said.

The proposal to hike fare will soon be tabled before the RTA for approval. u00a0