Jammu, Dec. 25 -- The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday approved an 18% increase in passenger transport fares across Jammu and Kashmir, following detailed deliberations by the fare revision committee (FRC) headed by principal secretary finance Santosh D Vaidya. Vaidya chaired a high-level meeting of the FRC at civil secretariat here to deliberate uponthe issue of revision of passenger transport fares across the Union territory. The meeting was attended by secretary transport, Avny Lavasa; acting transport commissioner, J&K, Anju Gupta; managing director JKRTC, Abdul Rashid War and other officials besides representatives of various transporters' associations of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. During the meeting, the representatives of the transporters submitted a proposal seeking a hike of 40% in passenger fares, citing a substantial increase in operational costs. The committee held a detailed and threadbare discussion on the matter, taking into account multiple factors such as the sharp rise in the cost of spare parts, fuel-related expenses, taxes, maintenance costs, and other operational inputs. A comprehensive cost analysis exercise was also examined during the deliberations. While acknowledging the genuine concerns raised by the transporters, the committee also considered the socio-economic impact of fare revision on the general public, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the common man is not subjected to an undue financial burden....