Private Bus Fare Hike Sparks Student Protests, Demands for Free Passes
Students in Guna are protesting a private bus fare increase, demanding free bus passes and an end to extra fee collection.
गुना | राजा हतम वेग
Student Organisation Submits Memorandum to District Collector
Guna, October 13, 2026 – Students and youth in Guna are facing increased difficulties following a recent hike in private bus fares. On Tuesday, the district council of the student organisation, the Democratic Students Organisation (DSO), visited the Collectorate and submitted a memorandum to the District Collector.
The memorandum specifically requested the provision of free bus passes for students and a halt to the collection of additional fees at educational institutions. Shubham Rao, the organisation's president, highlighted that the permission granted to private bus operators to increase fares by up to two rupees per kilometer has placed a significant financial burden on poor students from rural areas.
Rao further stated that this fare increase is forcing many students to discontinue their education prematurely. The DSO is strongly advocating for the issuance of free bus passes to all students in Madhya Pradesh, similar to practices in other states.
Concerns Raised Over Educational System Irregularities
The DSO's memorandum also expressed deep concern over the prevailing irregularities within educational institutions. The organisation has strongly opposed the decision to close rural schools under the guise of Sandipani Schools.
According to the DSO, this decision compels students to travel to distant areas for their education, thereby increasing their travel-related problems and expenses. The organisation also pointed to alleged extra fee collection at the Government College of Excellence in Guna.
Students claim that the college administration is collecting an additional Rs 365 annually from approximately 1,500 students under the pretext of bus fees, despite no bus facilities being provided to them on the ground.
Protest Threat Issued
The DSO has warned the administration that if these serious issues are not resolved promptly, the organisation will launch a large-scale, aggressive protest. A significant number of students from various schools and colleges were present during the submission of the memorandum.
The students emphasised that strengthening the public transport system is the government's responsibility to ensure that economic barriers do not impede access to education. All eyes are now on the administration's next steps in addressing these pressing concerns.