Kathmandu, February 16:

A delegation of the Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs of Nepal (FTEN) led by the federation’s acting president Hari Narayan Shahi, met with Rabindra Khanal, state minister for labour and transport management at the latter’s office in the capital today and demanded an approval from the government to increase transport fares.

According to a memorandum submitted to the minister, the transporters have asked the government to hike the fares as prices of petroleum products have been increased. “We have not increased the transportion fares as per the request of the government,” states a press release iuused here today.

“If the government do not give approval to increase the transport fares by 12 per cent for long and medium range, and 15 per cent for short routes as per our earlier agreement, FTEN would be compelled to go for indefinite protest,” states the press release.

FTEN said that the transporters are currently operating their vehicles in a loss.

The minister assured the delegation to decide on transport fares hike at the earliest possible.