Kolkata, Jul 23 (PTI) A section of private bus operators in West Bengal has decided not to buy diesel every Monday from July 27 to protest against the rising fuel prices.

Joint Council of Bus Syndicates general secretary Tapan Banerjee said the operators demanded an immediate hike in fares owing to increasing diesel cost and COVID-19 related restrictions on the number of passengers that each bus can carry.

Also Read | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Foldable Phone With Snapdragon 865+ SoC Launched; Check Price, Features, Variants & Specifications.

He said the members of the association have decided that the refuelling would not be done on every Monday as a mark of protest against the mounting fuel prices.

Usually, private bus operators purchase diesel as and when necessary.

Also Read | Kia Sonet Sub Compact SUV Officially Teased Ahead Of India Debut.

"There has been a steep rise in diesel prices and the state government is not taking any decision on our demand for a fare hike. With these, the private bus transport business in West Bengal will go bankrupt," Banerjee said.

At present, the daily income from a bus falls far short of the expenses, he claimed.

"The ticket sale proceeds do not even cover for the fuel cost, leave alone staff salary, insurance, bank EMI, maintenance and other expenses," Banerjee added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)