Major political parties in Tamil Nadu slammed the State government’s decision to substantially increase the prices of government bus tickets on Friday and demanded a roll-back of the hike.
DMK working president and leader of opposition M.K. Stalin said the price hike has proved that the government does not work for the people but exists only for ‘commissions’. He said the government had passed on the results of its administrative failings to the people.
“This will adversely affect the poor, middle class and traders, who regularly use buses,” said Mr. Stalin.
Considering the hike in tickets for all types of buses plying in cities, the difference in price between the previous fare and the new one is between ₹10 to ₹60, he said “Fares for air conditioned buses used by IT employees have been increased from ₹90 to ₹140. When DMK was in power, the prices weren’t increased even when there was a rise in diesel prices. Despite the decrease in global oil prices, the AIADMK government does not oppose the hike in oil prices imposed by the Centre,” he said.
Poor management of the State transport corporations by the State government was the reason for their incurring losses and it was wrong to pass on the burden to the people, DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP M.K. Kanimozhi said in Coimbatore on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President S. Thirunavukkarasar said the one-time increase should have been avoided.
“Instead of a one-time increase, the State government could have hiked the fares over the past six years by not more than 10%. The State government could have given a ₹3,000 crore subsidy to the STC and avoided the fare hike,” he added.
PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss announced a protest against the bus fare hike on January 25.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president M. Jawahirullah, TMC leader G.K. Vasan and All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi leader R Sarathkumar criticised the move.
