Mangalore: The members of Block Congress Committee, Mangalore City, staged a protest at Central Railway Station in Mangalore on Monday, June 23 against proposed rail fare hike.
The protestors shouted slogans against the BJP-led UPA government and said that it is a massive rail fare hike. How can they increase the fair just couple of weeks before the Budget Session of Parliament?
The members also demanded to rollback the hike immediately, saying the the government’s decision will lead to rise in prices of essential commodities.
“BJP had promised to curb inflation before elections but I doubt if it will happen. If they continue to take steps like this, then I am sure people of the country will punish the government. The government is failing at all fronts,” said a member of Block Congress Committee.
In a pre-budget move, cash-strapped railways on Friday effected a steep across-the-board hike of 14.2 per cent in passenger fares in all classes and a 6.5 per cent increase in freight rates to garner Rs 8000 crore a year.
The decision, which will come into effect from June 25, marks implementation of an announcement of May 16, the day Lok Sabha election results came, when the hike was announced but put on hold immediately
