No bus fare hike despite fuel price surge: Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday ruled out any immediate increase in bus ticket fares despite the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices, attributing the rise in fuel costs to global factors.
He said the state government would not burden commuters with higher fares at this stage and indicated that there was no move to initiate the process required for a revision.
"Just because diesel prices have gone up, we will not increase ticket fares. We do not have the authority to raise fares now. We are not increasing them," Reddy told reporters.
Responding to queries on whether a committee would be constituted to review fare revision, the minister said the government was not considering such a step at present.
He attributed the current spike in fuel prices to ongoing geopolitical tensions and expressed hope that prices would ease once the situation stabilises.
"Prices have gone up due to the war situation (Iran-Israel-US). If the war stops, prices will automatically come down," he said, adding that even if prices rise further in the near term, fares would not be increased immediately.
On being asked whether the state would seek intervention from the Centre, Reddy criticised the Union government's handling of fuel pricing in recent years.
He said that while crude oil prices had fallen in the past, the benefit was not passed on to the public.
The minister further said that for nearly a decade, lower crude oil prices did not translate into relief for consumers, adding that the gains accrued largely to the Centre.
Reiterating the state's position, he said, "We will not do anything on our part. As far as we are concerned, we will not increase fares," while urging the central government not to impose further price hikes that could burden the public.
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Prez Murmu to attend Shivakumara Swamiji Jayanti at Siddaganga Math on Apr 1
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Tumakuru (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu will visit Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru on April 1 to take part in the 119th birth anniversary celebrations of Shivakumara Swamiji, Union Minister V Somanna said on Saturday.
Shivakumara Swamiji, the pontiff of the renowned Siddaganga Math, passed away at the age of 111 on January 21, 2019 in Tumakuru.
The President is scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru on the evening of March 31 and travel to Tumakuru the next morning to attend the commemorative event and associated programmes at the Math, he said.
"On April 1, she will leave at 9 AM and reach Tumakuru by helicopter at 9.30 AM," Somanna said.
He said the President would visit the Samadhi (memorial) of Shivakumara Swamiji and interact with students of the Math before participating in the main stage programme of the birth anniversary celebrations.
"After arriving in Tumakuru, she will attend the programme and then proceed to the memorial. Around 10,000 children will be gathered at one place, and she will spend about five minutes interacting with them," he said.
The minister said several dignitaries, including District In-charge Minister Parameshwara, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and other elected representatives, would be present during the event.
Describing the visit as significant, Somanna said, "Her visit to Tumakuru city and district is a matter of great pride for us, and we should all come together to welcome it."
He said preparations are under way to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme, with officials and stakeholders coordinating arrangements for the high-profile visit.
