Bus syndicate writes to Mamata opposing election duty requisition in Bengal

A fresh controversy has erupted over the requisitioning of private buses for upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, with the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates strongly objecting to the move. Even before the formal poll announcement, the administration has begun lifting buses from various routes for election duties, prompting the organisation to appeal directly to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for immediate intervention.

In an official statement, Joint Council secretary Tapan Bandyopadhyay alleged that buses are being directly requisitioned from the roads without prior discussion or consent from owners. He argued that the private transport sector has yet to fully recover from the financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged lockdowns, resulting in fewer buses operating across the state. Any abrupt withdrawal of vehicles, he warned, could severely disrupt passenger services and push the fragile transport system into deeper crisis.

The organisation has already written to State Transport Minister Snehasish Chakraborty and Transport Department Secretary Soumitra Mohan, urging the government to initiate dialogue before proceeding further. Bus owners have proposed a phased requisition plan, developed in consultation with route associations, to ensure that essential public transport services remain uninterrupted during the election period.

Another major concern raised by the syndicate is the lack of clarity regarding remuneration and compensation. The Joint Council alleged that while diesel expenses are typically considered, there has been no official announcement detailing the daily rent or compensation structure for buses deployed in election duties. Owners have expressed dissatisfaction that requisition slips are being issued without finalising financial terms.

Bandyopadhyay reiterated that the organisation is willing to cooperate with election-related responsibilities but insisted that their concerns and conditions must be addressed through dialogue. The situation now hinges on whether the state government opts for discussions with the bus associations or allows the dispute to intensify in the run-up to the elections.