It is a decision taken in a hurry, says Kharge
The State government has criticised the Union government’s decision to hike railway passenger fares and freight charges and said it will be a burden on the common man. Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has increased the passenger fare by 14.2 per cent and freight charge by 6.5 per cent with effect from June 25.
Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the Centre’s decision to hike railway passenger fares was unexpected. By increasing fares, the Centre has not respected the mandate given to the BJP by the people in the last general elections, he said.
M. Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Floor Leader in the Lok Sabha and former Railway Minister, termed the hike ‘a decision taken in a hurry’. The Railway Minister should have announced a hike in the budget and discussed it before Parliament, he told presspersons. Why take such important decisions in a hurry, he added. He urged the Union government to withdraw the hike.
