Train fare hike in the name of VAT triggers protest
Exchange of hot words and scuffle between passengers and staff of private railway operators has become a regular affair following unauthorised increase of fare in different routes of the northern region.
The private operators are putting all efforts to realise 20 percent additional price in the name of VAT, said passengers, adding that in some cases, they are forced to pay around double the ticket price.
Meanwhile, a staggering 19 times rise has been imposed on the yearly ticket for different rail routes ranging from 25 to 35 kilometres.
Price of the yearly ticket, which was Tk 75 earlier, leapt to Tk 1440 in June this year as the private operators did not bother about the concern of the stakeholders.
On April 21 this year, chief commercial manager of Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway, Rajshahi, arranged lease of 18 broad gauge and meter gauge trains in different sections for commercial run under private organisations, railway sources said.
The leaseholder private railway organisations are M/s M G M Traders, Hope Agro Limited, Santa Enterprise and L R Enterprise.
On April 28, the chief commercial manager in a letter warned the private organisations not to charge any money other than the stipulated rate of fare on tickets as the lease agreement does not keep any provision for increase of fare.
Demanding end to realisation of enhanced fare, people observed protest programmes but the railway authorities are yet to take any effective step in this regard.
Asked by this correspondent, Golam Mostafa, proprietor of M G M Traders, said, "In the tender schedule of lease 15 percent VAT was charged on the bid money and so, leaseholder organisations are realising VAT on railway tickets."
In June this year, the yearly ticket fare was increased from earlier Tk 75 to Tk 1440 to afford administrative expenditure, he said.
On Monday last, staff of a private railway operator beat up three students of Gaibandha Government Boys College for declining to pay the exorbitant price for yearly ticket.
Students of the college later besieged Gaibandha station demanding punishment to the accused railway men.
Protesting the fare hike of yearly ticket, students under the banner of Rail Jatree Chhatra Sangram Parishad formed a human chain at Bonarapara Railway Station on Tuesday.
They also announced forming human chain at Pirgachha station today, at Kamarpara station on August 3, Bamondanga station on August 5 and Gaibandha station on August 10.
"We are receiving allegations that private railway operators are realising Tk 10 to 12 against a Tk 5 ticket and Tk 23 to 25 against a Tk 15 ticket. Higher authorities of Western Railway have been informed of the matter," said Abdul Wahed Mandol, stationmaster of Gaibandha Railway Station.
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