Govt all set to launch mini bus scheme in scheduled areas

Rourkela: People living in the scheduled areas of the State have some reason to cheer as the Odisha Government has decided to introduce Rural Transport Minibus scheme in the hilly terrain areas of the undivided KBK districts and other scheduled areas of the State.

The Commerce and Transport Department has decided to launch the scheme in the next fiscal while the Council of Ministers’ meeting on finalization of budget has approved the scheme that would be announced by the Finance Minister in the budget session of the State Assembly beginning from February 14.

The Government has targeted to run 1000 mini buses in 108 scheduled blocks of the State.

“While the mini buses will be purchased by individual or corporate houses, the government will reimburse five per cent interest for availing loan to purchase the buses. While the banks are getting 12 per cent interest for providing mini buses in loan, the bus owner will have to pay seven per cent interest,” said a senior official of the Department.

The Government will also exempt road tax and permit tax for plying the bus in the rural areas. The Department expects to spend about Rs. 5 crore in reimbursing the interest for 1000 buses.

The scheme will not only cater to the areas that are underserved, but also facilitate connectivity to the city from the suburbs between villages and towns.

A committee will be formed under the chairmanship of sub-collector in the respective blocks, in which BDO, MVI and a bank representative will be members.

The committee will decide the routes and bus fares to ply the buses in these blocks. The general fare will not be applicable for the buses.