Private bus operators

It is observed that private bus operators always request a price hike whenever diesel prices are increased. Their request may be considered as reasonable if they attempt to render a commendable service to the nation.

Issues that need attention are:

1. Are their buses not overcrowded, which itself increases the possibility of accidents?

2. Are tickets issued to the passengers so that their income is recorded and taxes paid?

3. Are they aware of tax exemption (VAT and NBT) granted to them?

4. Are their buses roadworthy?

5. It is understood that several drivers from CTB whose services had been terminated have joined private bus services.

6. Do the employees (driver and conductor) wear uniforms and badges to identify them?

7. Whether EPF, ETF and Retiring Gratuity are paid to the employees. Recently a law was introduced that they are to be paid EPF and ETF, which should have been done 30 years ago.

8. Do they obtain a tax clearance certificate every year to renew their licence?

Once these matters are cleared, their demands may be considered reasonable. Though the private bus service was introduced to have healthy competition with CTB, it has resulted in their domination.

S.R. Balachandran

Property developers should install solar panels

The CEB has overburdened the consumers of electricity with its recent upward revision of the tariff. This is because the cost of generation of electricity has increased due to the inevitable increase in fuel prices, overhead cost, administrative cost, and to offset current losses incurred. I would like to add the cost of mismanagement by the Board as well.

In order to ease the load on the CEB grid, I propose that the Government consider requesting property developers, those who put up high-rise apartments in the future, to generate their own power requirement, with immediate effect, at least their full requirement if possible or otherwise at least some part of their requirement.

The private sector should also be encouraged to go for solar power and incentives should be granted by the Government to these companies by way of tax rebates, granting loans at low interest rates, etc.

The Government or some private companies could import these solar panels in bulk and sell them at concessionary rates to end-users.

If the above proposal can be successfully implemented, we the consumers can hope to get some relief by way of a reduction in the tariff.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo 3