Bengaluru, 4 November

The Congress government’s decision to hike bus fare is illegal, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka said on Wednesday, and announced that the BJP would protest the move.

"Price hikes in the Transport Department are illegal. Prices have been increased by 30 to 40 per cent. Such a hike has never been seen before in the history of Karnataka,” he said at a press conference in Bengaluru. “The Congress government and DK Shivakumar owe the Transport Department over Rs 5,800 crore. The Finance Department has already stated that they cannot pay this amount because there is no money in the State exchequer.” 

Ashoka added: “Shifting this burden—which belongs to the Transport Department—onto the public is illegal.”

Ashoka put the blame squarely on the guarantee schemes, namely the Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus fares to all Karnataka women. 

He said that the BJP would begin protesting on Thursday.

However, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hit back, and told the BJP to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce fuel prices rather than simply protest. 

“Ten days ago, they (corporations) did not have money to purchase diesel. The government had to provide funds. We have given it free of cost, as they were incurring huge losses," Shivakumar said. “Diesel prices have gone up. Why did they not speak when diesel and petrol and gas prices increased?”

Shivakumar promised to reduce bus fares if diesel prices were reduced.