Press : Former BJP President, Shri Rajnath Singh on Railway passenger fare hike

Statement by former BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh on Railway passenger fare hike

The decision to increase Railway passenger fares a couple of months prior to the Budget Session of Parliament clearly exposes the anti-people and anti-democratic face of the UPA Government. The near 20 percent hike in fares has dealt a big blow to the common man who is already reeling under high inflation.

If the Government felt the need to increase the passenger fares it should have done through the Railway Budget and discussed the proposal in Parliament. The massive increase in fares should have come in small dosage but the Government ignored the common man's concern.

For nearly ten years the Government claimed that the Indian Railways was doing pretty well and there was no need to increase passenger fares. The moment Congress party got hold of the Railway ministry it changed its policy and the passengers were taken for a ride.

The Government should either roll back the steep hike in passenger fares or wait for the Budget session before implementing its decision.