Press Statement

 

21.06.2014

 

CITUstrongly condemns the steep increase in the passenger fares along with a hefty hike in the freight charges announced by the government. The passenger fares have been hiked across the board by 14.2% and the freight charges by 6.5%. In addition another 3% service tax is imposed on the freight users and AC passengers.

 

This is going to impose huge burdens on the railway travellers and the common people. The burden will be even more unbearable on the rural migrant workers and daily commuters. The hike in freight charges will increase the pries of all essential commodities and lead to huge inflation, imposing further burdens on the people already reeling under the impact of price rise, particularly the high food inflation. Instead of providing some relief to the people by curbing price rise, as promised by the BJP in its election campaign, the Modi government has imposed further burdens on them.

 

In addition, the BJP led government displayed its disrespect for democratic procedures by increasing the railway fares even when the railway budget is scheduled to be presented in the Parliament in a few days.

 

The"railway fare hike probably is the beginning of the 'tough measures' that the Prime Minister warned the country of.

 

CITU demands immediate withdrawal of the railway fare hike. It calls upon all the workers and other sections of the people to lodge their strong protest against the increase in the railway fares, all over the country.

 

K.Hemalata

National Secretary

C.I.T.U