Congress today endorsed the decision to hike railway fares, saying it becomes “inevitable” sometimes, but was evasive on whether party chief Sonia Gandhi was taken on board on the issue or not.
“If fare is hiked in railways, it is not done with the permission of Sonia Gandhi. Party is a different entity and the government is a different one. Railway Minister is the best person to answer why he chose to hike the railway fare now,” AICC spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters in Delhi.
Pressed if Ms. Gandhi was consulted, Mr. Alvi said he was not aware whether it was done or not.
The spokesman said that “sometimes it is inevitable” when asked how does the party look at the decision to effect an across the board hike in fares of all classes from midnight of January 21 to net an additional Rs. 6,600 crore a year, the first such increase in a decade.
