Activists of the opposition parties staged protests across the State on Saturday resenting the State government’s decision to increase fares of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) services. The revised fares came into effect from the midnight of October 22.
A large number YSRC and Left party activists staged protests outside Pandit Nehru Bus Station in Vijayawada seeking rollback of the hike. YSRC leader K. Parthasarathy and others were taken into custody as they tried to prevent buses from plying. CPI (M) leaders Ch. Babu Rao and D. Kasinath said the fare hike was uncalled for at a time when prices of essential commodities had skyrocketed.
Congress activists also staged protests across the State. APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy, terming the fare hike ‘absurd’ remarked, “The norm followed by the previous dispensation was to increase fares in tune with the rise in diesel prices. But now, in spite of no increase in diesel prices, the government has gone in for an increase.”
Activists of the Left parties and the YSRC said the fare revision was a big blow to the common man. They staged protests and burnt effigies of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, including one at RTC Complex in Srikakulam. YSRC district president Reddi Shanti said the fare hike was unjustified when crude oil prices had come down.
In Kakinada, activists of the Communist Party of India led by party’s district unit secretary Tatipaka Madhu staged a rasta roko at the RTC bus stand, protesting the fare hike.
At Ongole, protesters led by CPI (M) city secretary G.V. Konda Reddy said the party would not rest till the fare hike was rolled back, adding that the hike imposed an additional burden of Rs. 48 crore on the public in Prakasam district. CPI (M) activists staged a protest at the depot of central bus station in Tirupati. CPI activists also staged a protest at municipal corporation office .
