The Centre’s decision to hike train fare and freight rates to be effected from June 25 has triggered a slew of protest across the region.
Vehemently opposing the move, Left parties and Congress activists demanded an immediate rollback on the decision.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) New Democracy activists on Saturday burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Collectorate here on Saturday, protesting against the steep hike in railway fares.
Speaking on the occasion, party district unit general secretary J. Venkateswarlu said that the sudden increase in the fares was quite contrary to the poll promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“Mr. Modi had promised that the inflation would be controlled and the life of the common man would be easier. But, within a month in the office, he forgot all his promises and resorted to a step that will certainly affect the life of common man,” he said.
Cascading effectStating that the hike would have a cascading affect on transportation charges, leading to further rise in the prices of essential commodities, Mr. Venkateswarlu demanded that the decision should be taken back immediately.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists also staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate. Party’s district secretariat committee member T.S. Prakash alleged that Modi’s regime was allowing the corporate companies to have carrot and wielding the stick on the common man.
Ongole Staff Reporter adds: Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists burnt the ‘headless’ effigy of the BJP-led NDA Government protesting the hefty hike in railway fares at the Sagar Hotel centre. The activists led by party district secretary Jala Anjaiah and city unit Secretary G.V.Konda Reddy raised slogans against the Narendra Modi government.
“The hike is a big blow on the common man,” said Mr Anjaiah.
Srikakulam Staff Reporter adds: Opposition parties strongly opposed the revision of railway charges. They said it would be big burden on the common ma, especially the migrant labourers who frequently travel to Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places.
At a media conference, DCC President Dola Jagan, Youth Congres leader Chowdary Satish said that passengers were not in a position to bear the 14.2 per cent hike in train fare.
Left party leaders V.G.K. Murthy, Panchadi Paparao warned to stage agitations opposing railway fare revision.
