The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the unprecedented hike in railway fares by the Modi Government to the extent of 14.2 per cent in all classes and that in freight charges of 6.5 per cent.
This is a cruel blow to the working people who have been victims of relentless price hikes in the years of Congress misrule. Instead of bringing them some relief as promised in his election campaign, the Modi Government has put a huge burden on the mass of people who use the Indian railways. The increase in freight rates will have a cascading impact on prices of essential commodities which are transported by rail across the country.
The Government has taken such an anti-people step behind the back of Parliament. The railway budget is to be presented in a few days. Earlier the BJP used to condemn pre-budget hikes of the UPA government as anti-democratic. The Modi Government has followed the same path.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the price hikes and demands their reversal. It calls upon all its Party units and people to protest the hikes.