The Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with few other left parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist - Leninist) Liberation and Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate here on Monday, demanding complete withdrawal of the recent bus fare revision made by the State government.
C. Ramakrishnan, district secretary, rural unit of CPI (M), Madurai, said though the government subsequently brought down the fare after protests, the reduction was negligible. “In Chennai, they have brought down the fare and have introduced a new cess to bring the fare back to the revised rate, which is tantamount to cheating,” he said.
The protestors said the increased bus fare hike, which has been substantial, has become a burden for labourers and those from socio-economically poor background, who are dependent on public transport. “For instance, daily wagers coming from suburban areas to Madurai city for work are paying nearly double than what they were paying more. This eats a chunk of what they take back home as wage,” said Mathivanan, a functionary of CPI (ML) Liberation, said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Around 100 protestors, who took part in the demonstration, were detained by the police and released in the evening.