Under Election Commission scanner over reduction of bus fares, the Tamil Nadu Government today said the lower fare was the result of change in pattern of the transport services in certain routes.
Passengers were charged less fare in certain routes because the special services (such as limited stop and deluxe) had been changed to ordinary status, state Transport Minister K N Nehru said in a statement.
Changes in the pattern of services was a routine process taking into consideration the public demand, he said adding there was no reduction of bus fares as alleged by opposition parties.
State Chief electoral Officer Naresh Gupta had yesterday said the reduction of fare was a case of violation of model of code of conduct. He had said the Election Commission had been informed about it.
Nehru said if there had to be any increase or decrease in the fare, it should have be done through a government order and the permission of the Chief Minister had to be obtained. "There is no such government order," he said.
