People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)


Vol. XXXIII

No. 5

February 08, 2009

 

Increase in Freight Charges Unwarranted


The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on January 30, 2009

THE CPI(M) strongly opposes the increase of freight charges by the railway ministry for transport of essential commodities like foodgrains, pulses and fertilisers by as much as 8.33 per cent. The hike, coming at a time when the central government has had to bow to public pressure and reduce the prices of diesel and petrol, is entirely unwarranted and will lead to higher prices of essential commodities adding to the burden of inflation on the people. The increase of freight charges on fertilisers is shocking and reflects the total insensitivity of the government to the distress being faced by farmers.

The CPI(M) demands that the proposed hike from February 1 be withdrawn. It calls on the people to protest this hike.