People's Democracy

CITU Denounces Rail Freight Hike

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has strongly denounced the hike in railway freight charges for various key commodities such as sugar, salt, petroleum products, iron ore, steel, coal, cement and caustic potash, through a railway ministry circular. The CITU has deplored the surreptitious manner in which the railway ministry has hiked the freight rates, effective from December 27, keeping the parliament in dark during the winter session.

In a statement issued on December 25, the CITU noted with grave concern that this would lead to immediate increase in the transportation cost, with a cascading effect on prices of essential commodities as well as the cost of power and construction materials. The freight hike, announced through backdoor in a clandestine manner, would further burden the common man who is already reeling under the wave of relentless price rise.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the circular enhancing the railway freight rates, the CITU has urged upon the working class to expose the hypocrisy of the railway minister and her party, which reportedly plans to hold rally against price rise in Kolkata, on the same day when the railway freight hike would be thrust on the people.