The petitioner, a bus passenger has filed this writ petition complaining of various anomalies in the working of Exhibit P2 notification issued by the Government. As per Exhibit P2, the bus charge has been enhanced. The minimum charge payable by a passenger has been enhanced from ₹6/- to ₹7/-. The charges per kilometre has been enhanced from 52 paise to 64 paise. Corresponding increase has been made in other categories of services like Fast Passenger, Super Fast Passenger, Super Express etc. also. 2. According to the petitioner, the enhancement now effected is arbitrary and unjustified. Though it is stated that the enhancement has been necessitated by the increase in the price of diesel as well as other inputs, it is alleged that the enhancement is far in excess of what is actually required. The petitioner has therefore submitted Exhibit P8 representation to the first respondent. He seeks the issue of appropriate directions for the consideration of Exhibit P8.
2. The petitioner has a further contention that in the implementation of Exhibit P2 also anomalies are existing. According to him, when calculated on the basis of the minimum charge and the rate per kilometre, at places where only ₹7.64 can be charged, ₹10/- is being charged by the city services. The reason put forward is that, the buses have not printed tickets at the permissible rates. Since, the above anomaly as well as many others that are existing in the matter of implementation of Exhibit P2, the petitioner has submitted Exhibit P5 representation to the second respondent. He seeks the issue of appropriate directions for the disposal Exhibit P5 also.
2. Advocate P.C.Chacko apperas for the third respondent. The Government Pleader appears for respondents 1 and 2. In the nature of the relief that I propose to grant, I do not consider it necessary to issue notice to the other respondents. It shall be sufficient that this writ petition is disposed of directing the complaint of the petitioner to be considered by the authorities concerned. This writ petition is therefore disposed of with the following directions:-
1. The first respondent is directed to consider Exhibit P8 representation in accordance with law and to pass appropriate orders thereon, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of two months of the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner as well as the the representatives of respondents 3 to 6.
2. The second respondent is directed to consider Exhibit P5 representation in accordance with law and to pass final orders thereon, as expeditiously as possible and at any rate within a period of two months of the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner, respondents 3 to 6 as well as the other interested persons.
Sd/- K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JUDGE kkj